Doctors, support staff continue strike in Reasi hospital on Day 2

JAMMU: Doctors, support staff of the Reasi district hospital continued their protest on the second day over an alleged act of misbehaviour with a doctor by the deputy commissioner (DC) of Reasi, Prasana Ramaswamy.

On Saturday, the entire medical staff of the hospital went on a flash strike after an orthopedician was detained by the police for more than an hour on the DC’S order.

It is alleged that after Dr Ashwani Kumar and the DC had arguments over the stay of the doctor at the counting centre, which is 100 metres away from the hospital, on Saturday. After doctor’s refusal to stay, the DC ordered his arrest for defying the orders.

However, the deputy commissioner has accused the doctor of misbehaviour and refusing to perform his duty.

Supporting the doctor, the entire hospital staff went on strike. However, emergency services were exempted from the ambit of the strike.

The doctors are seeking written apology from the DC.

Later in the day, senior officers from police and the deputy director of health services, Jammu, rushed to pacify the protesting staff.

On Sunday, Dr Sameer Mattoo, director of health services, Jammu, visited the hospital and asked the doctors to call off the strike.

However, the protest still continues, as doctors are insisting on an apology from the DC.

Medical superintendent of Reasi hospital, Dr Pritam Singh said, “I am hopeful that doctors will call off their strike and would resume their services from Monday morning.”