Ludhiana, June 17 The local unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today observed a complete medical bandh on a call given by the association. Around 500 doctors from various clinics, hospitals and nursing homes kept their OPDs shut throughout the day and attended a meeting at IMA House. Later, they took out a peaceful march. The doctors advocated the policy of zero tolerance to violence against doctors. After the meeting, the doctors assembled on Ferozepur Road from where they started a peaceful march to Bharat Nagar Chowk and back. Dr PS Jassal, president of IMA, Ludhiana, expressed his anguish over rising incidents of violence against doctors and medical staff. Dr Bimal Kanish, honorary secretary, urged the government to take measures to curb the incidents of violence against doctors. He was of the opinion that in the prevailing atmosphere, doctors were shying away from taking up critical patients and complicated cases. Dr Manoj Sobti, former president of Punjab IMA, warned the government that doctors would not take this violence lying down. Meanwhile, there was total shutdown of OPDs and non-essential medical services in all hospitals, including DMCH, CMCH, Fortis, SPS, Oswal and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. All nursing homes and clinics also remained shut. The bandh was also supported by the Indian Dental Association. A meeting was held at the DMCH to express solidarity with the doctors of West Bengal and the IMA. All faculty members, residents and students attended the meeting held at 10.30 am in Dumra Auditorium. According to the secretary of DMCH Managing Society, Prem Kumar Gupta, violence against doctors has increased manifold and there have been many reports of medical professionals being roughed up by patients’ attendants. The DMC vice-principal, Dr GS Wander, and the Dean Academics, Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, said keeping in view latest incidence of violence against the doctor in West Bengal, the IMA was waiting for formal communication by the Centre about the Central Law to curb violence against doctors and hospitals. According to the recent reports by the IMA, 75 per cent of doctors face verbal or physical abuse on hospital premises.

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