Protest against SDM Barmer Misconduct Escalates as Doctors Give Ultimatum
Doctors Strike
Barmer: The doctors in Rajasthan have now given a call for OPD suspension, followed by a complete shutdown of services if no action is taken by the authorities against Barmer Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who was recently accused of misbehaving with an on-duty doctor in a government hospital.
While the All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors' Association (ARISDA) has given a call for the suspension of OPD services tomorrow, the Rajasthan chapter of the United Doctors' Front (UDF) has given an ultimatum of 5 days to the Government, following which it will go for a complete shutdown of services.
Recently, the video of the SDM ordering the on-duty doctor in the government hospital asking him to tend to one patient, leaving all the other patients in the OPD went viral on social media. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in the video, the SDM could be seen ordering the doctor to attend to a lady patient waiting outside the OPD room and threatening the doctor with police action.
Even though the doctors in Rajasthan have been demanding action against the SDM for misbehaving with an on-duty doctor, their demands for suspension of the officer and filing of an FIR against him remain unfulfilled.
Also Read: Viral Video: SDM threatens On-duty Doctor during 250+ Patients OPD
Amid this situation, ARISDA wrote the Chief Medical and Health Officer, Barmer yesterday and informed its decision to go for a complete shutdown of OPD services tomorrow from 9 AM to 3 PM.
The association further informed how the doctors have been peacefully protesting against the incident for the last 9 days. Thereafter on 04.02.2025, a meeting was held in which all the doctors in Rajasthan participated. As per the decision taken in the meeting, the doctors protested by wearing black badges on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of February, and consequently, on the 8th and 9th of February, they held a pen-down strike of 2 hours and 1 hour respectively.
However, pointing out that no action has been taken against the SDM yet, the association mentioned in the letter that as per the decision taken previously, tomorrow, the doctors in the Barmer district would go for a suspension of OPD services from 9 AM to 3 PM.
In this regard, the association clarified that the IPD and emergency services would remain operational. It also added that if still no action is taken against the SDM, again a general board meeting would be held on 10.02.2025 to decide on the plan of action.
Demanding justice, the association warned the authorities that it might be forced to go for a complete shutdown of health services if no action is taken about the incident.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan chapter of UDF has given a 5-day ultimatum to the Government, warning to go for a complete shutdown if no action is taken against the concerned SDM within this time frame.
The association informed that a Press Conference was held on Sunday in JMA Hall and all the doctor organizations of Rajasthan were present in it. During the conference, a mutual decision of giving a 5-day ultimatum was taken by the doctors.
It added in the release that if no action is taken against the SDM, then the doctors would be forced to go for a complete shutdown, "for which the government will be fully responsible".
"United Doctors Front (UDF) Rajasthan appeals that FIR be filed against SDM Sevada under obstruction in state court and action be taken as per law and action be taken against SHO Sevada and SP Barmer also as they have not filed FIR against a Govt officer for 7 days," the release added.
