Patna: 7 patients die as 450 junior doctors go on strike in PMCH to protest lathicharge

Seven patients have reportedly died at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after nearly 450 junior doctors went on an indefinite strike starting Wednesday midnight. The deaths took place due to lack of treatment to patients in critical condition in the last 12 hours. The junior doctors are demanding action against police personnel who lathi-charged at them on Monday.

"Nearly 450 junior doctors have gone on strike but we are trying to manage the situation and keep attending to the patients. It is a one-day strike and they will hopefully get back to work tomorrow," said Dr. Abhijeet Singh of PMCH.

The flash strike by junior doctors was triggered after they assembled at the IAS Bhawan in Patna on Monday to appear for the counseling session of post graduation medical exam. It is then that the junior doctors created a ruckus and the police had to intervene to control the situation. Soon the junior doctors entered into violent clashes with the police following which they were lathi-charged. The police also arrested four doctors from creating trouble and sent them to jail.

"The juniors doctors were lathi-charged without warning when



they had gone to appear for PG counseling. 20 doctors were grievously injured in the incident and later four doctors were arrested and sent to jail. We have gone on a day's strike and abstained from work and if government does not meet our demand we will not relent. We want the arrested doctors to be released and an action to be taken against guilty police officials," said Dr Vinay Kumar, President, Junior Doctors Association of PMCH.

The patients on the other hand have been the worst sufferers with the emergency and OPD services taking a hit because of the strike of the junior doctors. The PMCH authority in a bid to deal with the crisis has called doctors from neighboring districts of Nalanda, Buxur and Ara for support. 20 doctors have already lent their services at PMCH.

"The moment we got information of the strike, we requested civil surgeons from neighboring districts to send team of doctors to PMCH to deal with the situation. At least 20 doctors have already reached PMCH from other district. More doctors are likely to come as back up at PMCH. Medical services have not taken a hit," said Dr RK Zamayar, Deputy Superintendent, PMCH.