Resident Doctors At AIIMS Go On Indefinite Strike; Know Why They Are Protesting

Patna: Resident doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna have started an indefinite strike.

They are protesting alleged misbehaviour, intimidation and assault by Chetan Anand, RJD MLA from Sheohar, his wife Dr Ayushi Singh and their armed guards on Wednesday night.

They have been accused of forcibly entering the hospital premises, assaulting security personnel and threatening resident doctors.

In a letter dated July 31, addressed to the AIIMS Medical Superintendent, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) expressed “deep anguish and growing concern”, and announced immediate shutdown of all elective services by resident doctors.

From 9 am on Friday, they proceeded with “complete shutdown of all emergency services” in response to the purported inaction on their demands.

RDA claimed that the politician, his wife and their armed security guards forcibly barged into the Trauma Centre around 11 pm on July 30, and “physically assaulted hospital security staff, brandished a firearm within hospital grounds, and threatened resident doctors with death.”

They further stated that one of the security guards was “struck with the butt of a firearm”, resulting in injuries. Resident doctors also said were subjected to “abuse and threats” while on duty.

RDA condemned the hospital administration and police for “failure to act”.

“Despite the seriousness of this incident, there has been no FIR filed, and the administration has taken no decisive legal or institutional action to protect its staff or pursue justice,” the letter pointed out.

Patna City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap said earlier in the week that based on information received about abuse, scuffle, and misbehaviour between two parties at AIIMS Hospital at Phulwarisharif police station.

“One party is Dr Ayushi Singh, who has submitted a complaint to the Phulwarisharif police station, alleging abuse and misconduct by some AIIMS doctors and staff. An FIR is being registered on her behalf and further action is underway. The AIIMS administration has also submitted an application, and an FIR will be lodged accordingly. The police have initiated an investigation, and action will be taken based on the facts that emerge.”

There has been no update on the action taken.

RDA presented four key demands, including immediate registration of an FIR against Anand, Dr Ayushi, and their guards. They have also asked for a formal written assurance and public condemnation of the incident by the hospital administration.

The resident doctors’ body has also demanded deployment of adequate and permanent security personnel within the hospital, along with the implementation of lasting security protocols to protect healthcare staff on duty.