Dumka: OPD services at Jamtara Sadar Hospital remained suspended for several hours on Friday as doctors and healthcare workers protested against the alleged assault on medical personnel and vandalism of hospital property a day earlier, following the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.The disruption in health services affected patients. A woman who is nine months pregnant claimed she was denied admission amid the strike. Doctors, however, said emergency services functioned normally during the protest.Reena Kumari, 35, a resident of Mahuldangal village, died along with her unborn child while being referred to another healthcare facility after her condition deteriorated during treatment at the district hospital on Thursday. Reena’s kin then allegedly assaulted medical personnel and vandalised hospital property.The protest was led by the Jharkhand Medical Association and supported by the Medical and Public Health Employees’ Union.An FIR was registered by Jamtara police based on a complaint by Dr Dinesh Prasad, deputy superintendent of the hospital. In his complaint, Prasad accused eight BJP functionaries of assaulting public servants, obstructing government duty and damaging public property.“Doctors cannot work in an atmosphere of fear. Those responsible for attacking the hospital must be arrested immediately,” physician Dr Vicky Majhi said, adding that recurring attacks on healthcare workers were a matter of serious concern.The strike was later called off after Jamtara SP Shambhu Kumar Singh met the agitating doctors and assured them of appropriate action and the deployment of additional security at the hospital.“Two FIRs have been lodged in connection with Thursday’s violence. We are looking into it,” the SP said.The incident triggered a political controversy in Jamtara, which is represented by state health minister Irfan Ansari. State BJP president Babulal Marandi constituted a three-member fact-finding committee comprising former MP Sunil Soren, general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri and secretary Krishna Mahto.After interacting with the victim’s family, the BJP alleged lapses in treatment. “Preliminary facts point towards negligence in treatment and referral. Accountability must be fixed,” Soren claimed, alleging that the woman remained unattended at the hospital.pandeyrajeshkumar19@gmail.com

Doctors protest on hospital premises on Friday

Attachment