UP private doctors, nursing homes go on strike

The medical services in Uttar Pradesh have been partially paralysed in Uttar Pradesh with the private doctors and nursing homes proceeding on a day's strike today to protest rising incidents of attacks against medical practitioners in the state.

The strike call was given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and all the private doctors, nursing homes, hospitals, pathologies and diagnostic centres affiliated to it abstained from work. However, the emergency services were barred from the strike call.

The striking doctors and nursing homes in UP have been demanding adequate security and promulgation of Medical Protection Act in the state to protect the life and property of private doctors.

They are also protesting the alleged harassment by the health department officials and the recent state government's nod to the 'Ayush' doctors to prescribe allopathic medicines. Ayush medical practitioners are primarily trained in alternative medicines, including Ayurveda, Yoga & Nathuropathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.

While, incidents of the private doctors at the receiving end of the mischief mongers, criminals and relatives of patients have been reported at regular intervals in the state, the brutal attack on a doctor in Allahabad a few weeks back provided the latest trigger and rallying point to the IMA.

The private doctors claim that they are the easy targets for attack by the grieving relatives of patients, especially in case the patient dies during treatment.

Meanwhile, the state government has directed the respective district magistrates and police superintendents for ensuring the strict implementation of the relevant laws that protect doctors and medical professionals.

Under such standing laws and bylaws, damaging hospital property and attacking doctor is a cognisable and non-bailable offence, which carries a jail term of up to three years and/or fine of Rs 50,000.