Attack on SMO: PCMS association calls off strike after health minister’s commitment

The Punjab Civil Medical Service (PCMS) Association on Sunday called off their April 22 strike to protest the attack on Sunil Bhagat, senior medical officer (SMO), stationed at ESI Hospital, Hoshiarpur.

The decision comes after Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh assured them that steps would be taken to ensure that such an incident does not occur in the future and a mechanism would be set up for quick action.

The association will now hold a solidarity march at all public health institutions in the state on Monday morning and hold a press conference in Hoshiarpur at 10 am.

“In view of the adequate steps taken by the government and the concrete guarantees given to the PCMSA, it has been unanimously decided that the previous program regarding the strike at all PHIs on April 22, 2024 is amended to a solidarity march/gate rally from 8:00 am . to 10:00 am on 22/04/2024 at all PHIs in the state along with a state-level press conference by the PCMSA at Hoshiarpur at 10:00 am,” read the PCMSA release

According to the press release, the minister assured that all district hospitals will be provided security through police chowki as well as external staff, and the sub-divisional hospitals and community health centers through external staff to provide a safe and conducive working environment for the medical staff. .

In case of such untoward incidents, the head of the institution will be responsible for registering the institutional first information report in future, it added.

To address such incidents, a grievance redressal system/mechanism would be set up at the district level under the guidance of the Civil Surgeon.

The discussion also highlighted that according to the code of ethics, no videography should be done on hospital premises.

It was also mentioned that over 600 medical officers (regular) and over 1200 paramedical posts will be filled in July and August.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Sunil Bhagat of ESI Hospital Hoshiarpur was reportedly pushed by the attendant of a patient who had created a commotion in the hospital over some issue. The suspect had reportedly gone to the hospital on Thursday to collect his mother’s medical report, where he argued with a staff member. He went to report the matter to senior officials and started making a video, which irritated the health staff. In the ensuing scuffle, he pushed SMO Dr. Sunil Bhagat to the ground. The SMO fell unconscious and was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but when he failed to regain consciousness, he was referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Dr. Bhagat’s condition is still said to be critical.