Dy CMO’s death: Docs suspend strike on probe promise

Patients at the Pratapgarh district hospital, primary health centres and community health centres heaved a sigh of relief after doctors withdrew their strike on Tuesday on the assurance of a judicial probe in connection with the death of deputy chief medical officer Dr Ashok Kumar.

The Pratapgarh Medical Association (PMA) had gone on strike after the death of Dr Kumar on Sunday. The association and the relatives of Dr Kumar alleged that he suffered a heart attack after being rebuked by chief medical officer Dr RK Nayyar and district magistrate Shambhu Kumar. But the officials denied this allegation.

Dr Kumar was admitted to a private hospital in Allahabad where he died while undergoing treatment. After that, the doctors in Pratapgarh stalled work at the outpatient department, demanding an inquiry and action in the matter.

District magistrate Shambhu Kumar, additional district magistrate Somdatt Maurya and other senior officials held a meeting with office bearers of the medical association on Tuesday. During the meeting, the doctors demanded a judicial probe into the incident. Dr Sanjay Kumar Sharma, district president of the medical association, announced suspension of the strike after the officials promised to meet the association’s demand. However, Sharma warned the doctors will go on strike again if the probe does not begin within a week.

The DM said he had received a charter of demands from the doctors.