Varanasi: The resident doctors of Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University went on an indefinite strike on Monday in protest against the assault of two residents on Sunday. They carried out a peaceful candle march in the evening.
Two junior residents of medicine department were thrashed by some people in the hospital premises on Sunday. Before going on strike, the resident doctors intimated their decision to the medical superintendent and other higher authorities.
In their letter to the MS, they said that so called bouncers, security guards and cameras have proved to be worthless. “We decided to go on strike from 4th November until the culprits are jailed, expelled permanently from academic and hostel facilities. We realise that administration cannot provide us safe working conditions, so we demand the security to be handed to a more potent authority”, they said.
On Monday they held a meeting and decided not to work until their demands are met. Residents boycotted OPDs; Elective OTs and wards. However, the emergency, ICU, ACU, CCU and all other emergency services remained functional. “It was unanimously decided that we will withdraw from all emergency services if our demands are not fulfilled within next 48 hours,” they said adding that further during the course of the day, three suspects were identified in one of the cameras of the university but they are still out of the police custody.
Their demands:
1) All the culprits involved in this incident should be identified and booked under MPA and other relevant IPCs (307/320). They should be permanently suspended from the academic courses and hostels.
2) Increment in the number of competent guards and security personnel and their deployment at key places in adequate numbers. Security should be shifted from the hands of proctorial security to CISF or any private security agency.
3) Entry of patients and attendants in hospital premises should be strictly on the basis of patient identity card issued.
4) Students and staffs with proper referrals from health centre should only be considered at their respective timings in OPDs. Any OPD ticket of acquaintance of BHU staff or student should not be given any preference.
5) Installation of camera covering all the important places including wards; entry points and exit points in hospital premises
Meanwhile, the Resident Doctors Association, King Georges Medical University, Lucknow came in support of BHU residents and urged the administration to address the situation, ensure security and safety of the residents.
