Mangalore: Docs Decry Public Outrage Against Hospitals, Call for Punishment
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Nov 29: "Media should reveal facts within the purview of law of the land without resorting to bias by highlighting one side of the story."
"Those who assault a doctor on duty or the hospital staff commit non-bailable offence."
These were some of the points displayed on placards which were carried out in the massive peaceful protest march by medicos in the city, from Light House to DC’s office on Tuesday November 29, condemning the recent attacks on doctors, paramedical personnel and hospital.
Later, addressing the protestors, senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Shantharam Shetty said that a doctor's aim is to cure the disease of the patients and no doctor would like to see his patient dying. "But in some extreme cases, even doctors will not be able to save their patients due to factors beyond their control. Birth and death are natural occurrences. In such cases relatives of the patients should try to understand the situation," he said.
He further said, "Today’s peaceful march is not for displaying the strength of the doctors' community, but to tell the facts to the society - about the conditions under which doctors are forced to perform their duty. Mangalore has gained good name in the field of medicine and that should be retained with co-operation from the public."
Dr Mohandas Bhandary, central council member, Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that Mangalore being the medical hub of the nation has treated thousands of lacs of patients. "Doctors here have the object of developing healthy rapport with patients, but attacks on doctors and nurses and vandalism in hospitals is condemnable."
He also said that before taking extreme steps against the doctors/hospitals, one should contact the consumer forum if one feels injustice has been meted out by doctors. He urged the government to take action and arrest the assaulters and make them pay a penalty of Rs 50,000, apart from sentencing them to three years judicial custody and a fine amount twice the value of hospital property damaged.
The protest was organised by the local chapter of IMA. Doctors and healthcare personnel from various medical colleges, private hospitals and clinics participated with an intention to educate and to create awareness on the issue among public, the administration and the police department. Police sources said that an estimated 2000 protestors were present.
A memorandum addressed to the CM was submitted to the DC. The doctors closed their OPDs, but attended to emergency cases and in-patients.