Shaurya Sharma
Fatehgarh Sahib. July 11, 2019: The lone lady gynecologist in the district presently posted at Civil Hospital Fatehgarh Sahib has proceeded on protest leave alleging malafide treatment, harassment and mental torture by the relatives of a patient accompanied by certain media persons and politicians, leaving the patients in the lurch. In a letter to Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr. Amanpreet Kaur mentioned that on 5th July she was attending patients in OPD certain people started misbehaving and mentally torturing and she is not in a position to attend the patients as there is threat to her life and dignity.
The SMO wrote to SSP alleging that the relatives of a patient accompanied by certain camera men from media and politicians entered the room of lady doctor and misbehaved and mentally tortured her over the referring of a patient to other hospital. So there is fear among the medical fraternity and they are apprehending threat to their lives, so take the necessary action against the mentioned persons.
Interestingly earlier also three gynecologist Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, Dr.Rupinder and Dr.Vidhi Kaur had resigned from their posts alleging same reason.
Dr. Satnam Banga President of doctor’s Association said that it was unfortunate incident and the doctor was not at fault she had referred a pregnant lady who was a complicated case for delivery to civil hospital Chandigarh as there is all type of emergency arrangement. He said relatives called certain media persons and politicians from opposition parties and started making slogans. He said there is acute shortage of Emergency Medical officers (EMO) in their absence the specialist doctors had to attend emergency, which affects their OPD and causes resentment among patients.
When contacted Dr. N.K.Aggarwal Civil Surgeon he confirmed that hospital authorities have written to SSP to take action and said he has taken up the matter with Deputy Commissioner in the meeting of District Health Society and demanded for police post in hospital, so that doctors may work I congenial atmosphere without any threat to life.
Sources told that there is acute shortage of staff and the working conditions are not congenial to the doctors and they have to put in extra hours to cope with the great rush of patients. Out of sanctioned 30 posts of lab technicians 15 are lying vacant, similarly class four and Safai Karamchari out of 228 posts 120 are lying vacant. There is only one safai sewak for civil hospital Fatehgarh Sahib.
When contacted Amneet Kondal SSP, she said she would mark an enquiry.