Dhanbad: Sahiyas begin indefinite gherao of SNMMCH against assault on co-worker by doctor

Hundreds of Aganwadi health workers (Sahiya) began an indefinite gherao of the Shahid Nirmal Manto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) demanding action against the doctor of the Gynaecology department who allegedly assaulted a Sahiya in a row over admitting the delivery case patient.

As per their announced stir, thousands of Sahiyas of the district assembled on the medical college premises at around 9.30 am and sat outside the OPD building. Following gherao, patients and doctors had to face major problems in entering the OPD. The doctors, who used to park their cars on the premises, had to get down on road.

The gherao began at 9.30 am and continued till 1 pm. SNMMCH Superintendent Dr AK Barnwal was not available for comment.

The agitating Sahiyas announced that they would not withdraw the indefinite gherao until the medical college management announces action against the accused lady doctor.

The incident occurred on July 19. As per the allegation, Sahiya Urmila Devi reached the labour room of the hospital with a patient from Karmatand village. She alleged that the doctor on duty Dr Madhumita and the security guard misbehaved with her.

However, the Gynaecology department denied the allegation and said that she created a nuisance inside the labour room. Dr Madhumita had already attended three labour cases in a row and asked the nurse to prepare her papers. When the Sahiya did not budge and began creating a nuisance, the hospital management had to call the police.

On July 20, the Sahiyas of the district gheraoed the civil surgeon’s office demanding action against the accused doctor. After this, Dhanbad Civil Surgeon Dr Shyam Kishore Kant set up a committee to probe.

But the Sahiyas were not satisfied with the probe committee and decided to gherao the medical college hospital.

Jharkhand State Public Health Employees Association (JSPHEA) state general secretary Sanjut Sahay, who was leading the gherao agitation, said that since both are employees of the health department and have to work unitedly, a clash among themselves is not in the interest of any party. “So, I have requested a common solution to this crisis,” said Sanjut Sahay.