PMCH junior doctors call off strike after police assure action over student assault

Patna: Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) junior doctors on Thursday withdrew their strike within hours after the hospital administration and police assured them of action against those allegedly involved in the assault of a medical student and promised enhanced security on the campus.

According to the news reports, hospital services began returning to normal by noon following a meeting between representatives of the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), hospital authorities and police officials. The strike, however, disrupted services during the morning, with the outpatient department (OPD) recording only 1,324 patients against the usual daily footfall of around 3,000.

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The protest followed an incident late Wednesday night after the death of a critically ill heart patient at the hospital. According to PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh, the patient's relatives became agitated following the death and an altercation broke out with doctors.

During the commotion, a medical student who was neither on duty nor involved in the patient's treatment was allegedly assaulted on the hospital premises. The student sustained head injuries and was admitted to the ICU. Dr Singh said his condition was stable.

While the superintendent alleged that the student was repeatedly struck on the head with a helmet, members of the JDA claimed that he was attacked with iron rods.

In response to the incident, junior doctors began their strike at around 9 am, affecting services in the OPD, emergency department, operation theatres, ICU, wards and registration counters.

Following negotiations with JDA representatives, the hospital administration assured the doctors that action would be taken against those responsible for the alleged assault. Dr Singh said he had also spoken to senior police officials and requested round-the-clock deployment of at least two security guards each in the medicine, surgery and emergency departments.

An FIR against unidentified persons has been registered at Pirbahore police station, and one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

“The growing intolerance among people has become a major concern. Most patients brought to PMCH are in critical condition, and despite best efforts, some cannot be saved,” Dr Singh said, reports TOI.

JDA president Dr Satyam Kumar said doctors could not be expected to save lives when their own safety was under threat. He demanded stronger security arrangements and urged the administration to register institutional FIRs in similar cases in the future.

However, speaking to TOI, a hospital source, requesting anonymity, alleged that some junior doctors continued turning away patients and asking them to visit NMCH even after the strike was withdrawn. The source also claimed that several surgeries had to be postponed.

Patients and their attendants reported difficulties during the disruption. Reshma Kumari, whose husband was admitted to the emergency ward, alleged that no doctor was available when his condition deteriorated and that treatment was delayed for nearly two hours. Several other patients and attendants also reported disruptions in services during the morning.

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