Rajnish Sareen
Jalandhar, April 12,2020: An emergency webinar meeting of the Governing Council of IMA Punjab was held in Jalandhar in which the current situation after the imposition of CEA in the state was discussed.
Dr Navjot Dahiya State President Punjab
Dr. Paramjit Mann Hony Secretary IMA Punjab, Dr. G S Gill ,Past State President and Member MCI and PMC,
Dr. Rajender Sharma, Past State President and CWC member national IMA, Delhi, Dr Rakesh Vig, Past state president,Dr. OPS Kande past state president,Dr. MK Sobti ,Past State president,Dr. Bhagwant Singh ,Vice President IMA Punjab,Dr. Vikas Chabra Vice President IMA Punjab,Dr. Yash Sharma Past State President,Dr. SPS Sooch ,Past State President,Dr. RS Bal, participated.
All the senior leaders and members of the GC were highly agitated and angry at the betrayal by the Punjab Govt.and strongly condemned the manner in which the Punjab Govt has been treating the private doctors presently .
“It is ill timed, unnecessary and illogical exercise by the government which will yield nothing positive in war against Covid 19 but demoralize the entire private health sector upon which the Punjab Govt is highly dependent for delivering health services to its people" said Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya ,State IMA President , while adding that we were working very closely with govt. in whole of Punjab through our 65 local branches, coordinating closely 24x 7 with local Administration, and acting as force multiplier where ever required.
" It is very sad that Govt ignored all such efforts and selfless work by our members on the ground zero and got swayed by blatantly false propaganda orchestrated by some mischievous elements and insulted the entire private medical sector.Medical Fraternity is feeling let down by the CM who should be doing hand holding of the entire medical fraternity at this grim moment of crisis but sadly we were labelled as "Bhagodas" and Cowards.
“In spite of this arrogant and despicable attitude of the Government , our doctors will continue to serve the humanity. The entire private medical fraternity at this moment is with the people of Punjab and will do everything in their command to serve them with dedication and love to save them from the clutches of Corona and other diseases whether Govt abuses them, emotionally hurts them or brings draconian laws against them", he added while reiterating the moral responsibility of the medical fraternity towards the suffering humanity.
" We will serve the humanity but not the Govt.If at all there is some problem of non-attendance of patients by private doctors CM should have discussed it with State President before going hammer and tongs at them publically ", lamented Dr. Paramjit Mann while adding that Private doctors had been serving the humanity at grave risk to themselves and their families as neither they have proper PPEs and masks nor insurance covers in case of any mishaps. They were also frontline workers in war against Covid19.
Every patient is potential Covid positive case until and unless proved otherwise. More than 250 healthcare workers in the country have got infected by treating non covid cases and two of our valiant doctors laid their lives in this war. Tragedy is they were unprotected unarmed soldiers who went to war and put their lives on line, further added Dr. Mann.
Dr G S Gill member PMC and past state President reminded the Govt. that it was IMA Punjab on whose request PMC issued advisory to all doctors in the state to keep attending to the patients and serve the humanity even at risk to them. But Punjab Govt failed to appreciate the gesture.
Dr. Rajender Sharma Past State President and CWC Member National IMA condemned the imposition of the CEA at this juncture when we need single minded focus in fight against Covid 19. He alleged that this move will sabotage the fight against COVID and as private doctors have been completely demoralized after double blow of abuses and insults hurled at them and then CEA imposition which amounted to rubbing salt into their wounds. He said that when Punjab is on the verge of community transmission then routine opening up of the OPD services may prove counterproductive and hasten the process thus defeating the very logic of curfew. He said inspite of that we will continue to serve the people entire private medical fraternity at this moment is with the people of Punjab and will do everything in their command to serve them with dedication and love to save them from the clutches of Corona and other diseases.
Dr Rakesh Vig said that Govt has back stabbed us .Only one day before we in meeting with HM and FM requested with folded hands that please defer it for some time as this is not proper time to bring this draconian act as it will send a very negative signal to hard working private medical fraternity which is now standing shoulder to shoulder with Govt doctors as second line back up force in this war against Covid 19.
Dr SPS Sooch past state president and Project Director of first ever 20 bedded ICU with 10 ventilators set up by IMA Punjab said that its highly improper for the Govt to ignore all the efforts done by IMA Punjab to create facilities for covid 19 cases. He said the IMA Punjab on itself has set up this dedicated facility and offered it to Govt free of cost including medical and para medical staff.
Dr OPS Kande wondered whether Govt has lost its focus or advisors to worthy CM have misled him into this blunder? It will prove very costly To alienate 75% of the medical service persons at this juncture can prove to be very detrimental in fight against corona.
Dr MK Sobti was also very critical of the recent actions of the Govt. while Dr Bhagwant Singh Vice President warned that this misadventure to test our patience will backfire and Govt will itself be responsible for any weakening in our fight against Covid 19
Dr Vikas Chabra who anchored the meeting suggested that we should boycott all govt meetings and advised against opening up of general OPD as it may hasten spread of Covid .
Dr Yash Sharma Past PMC member and Past State President said that in view of IMA, this is not the right time for implementation, as there is global health disaster of COVID. Ordinance at this juncture is direct harassment of doctors and will lower their morale.
The Governing Council of IMA, Punjab ,
appealed to the brave people of Punjab not to get misled by some vested interests in the corridors of power that are out to sabotage the war against Covid 19 and create a wedge between doctors and public. Identify them and Expose them. The IMA would continue to stand by with the people and do everything in our capacity to ensure proper healthcare facilities
The IMA advised people to follow the lock down strictly and cooperate with health officials, which alone could prevent the spread of the dreaded virus.