· Panel constituted to probe incident: Officials
Mansoor Peer
Srinagar, May 25: Doctors at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri on Monday observed a strike and staged a protest against the assault on medical professionals within the hospital premises, demanding action against those involved and enhanced security measures for healthcare workers.
More than 100 doctors, under the banner of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA), assembled in the college premises and raised slogans seeking justice. The protesting medics warned that they would intensify their agitation if their demands were not addressed promptly by the authorities.
Dr. Ifzal Ahmad Khan, President of the RDA, GMC Rajouri, said the protest took the form of a pen-down strike by senior residents, postgraduate students and junior residents. However, emergency services remained functional.
“We have suspended OPD services while ensuring that emergency patient care is not affected. We are waiting until 11 am on May 26 for concrete action. If nothing happens, we will intensify the strike,” he said.
The protest stems from an incident that allegedly occurred on May 17 at around 9 pm in the labour room of the hospital. According to the RDA, an individual unlawfully entered the highly sensitive labour room area during night duty hours, interfered with medical procedures and engaged in unauthorized videography.
The association alleged that the accused obstructed doctors from performing their duties, threatened resident doctors and healthcare workers, and used abusive and intimidating language inside the labour room.
The RDA has demanded immediate registration of an FIR against those involved and sought strict legal action. It also called for the deployment of adequate security personnel in critical areas, including the Emergency Department, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Operation Theatre Complex and other sensitive patient-care units.
Meanwhile, the GMC Rajouri administration has constituted a six-member enquiry committee to investigate the matter and recommend appropriate action.
According to an order issued by the college administration, the committee has been tasked with examining the matter in detail and holding discussions with the Resident Doctors Association to facilitate an early resolution of the issue.
The committee is headed by the Medical Superintendent as Chairman and comprises the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Head of the Department of General Medicine, Administrative Officer, Deputy Medical Superintendent and Presenting Officer as members.
The panel has been directed to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit its findings while engaging with the protesting doctors to address their concerns.
Meanwhile, doctors’ associations across Jammu and Kashmir and several other parts of the country have condemned the violence against doctors at GMC Rajouri.