Attack on RMO: 6,000 doctors to abstain from duty

KOZHIKODE: Nearly 6,000 of doctors in the district from government and private hospitals would abstain from duties on Wednesday as a mark of protest against the police inaction in punishing the attackers of Asha hospital RMO on April 23. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) said the doctors would, however, attend the emergency services and immunisation drive. IMA state president Dr V.G. Pradeep Kumar said it was a final warning to all the attackers on hospitals, as they neglected instructions from the chief minister’s office and that of the rural SP. The IMA also submitted a petition to the High Court in this regard. More than 200 doctors under the IMA’s Vadakara branch had abstained from duties on April 27 in protest. The RMO, Dr Anuraj, was allegedly manhandled and taken away in an ambulance from the hospital by a group of 12, accusing him of administering a wrong injection to a patient.

He was taken along with the patient from Madappally to Government Medical College hospital at night, saying that the patient developed complications after the injection to treat a migraine. However, the IMA officials said the doctors at the Medical College also found that there was no mistake in the injection and had filed a case. They added that no action was taken against the relatives and bystanders of the patients, who allegedly attacked the RMO. “We have filed complaints at Vadakara police station, Rural SP, ADM and finally the chief minister’s office, before approaching the HC," said Dr Pradeep. “Doctors also have got the right to live and work. There should be a safe working environment. Otherwise, it is risky for a comparatively smaller hospital to sustain.” The KGMOA, KGMCTA and QPMPA also support the protest. They say the attackers had also taken out a march to the hospital on May 1.