Chandigarh hospital doctors go on mass leave

CHANDIGARH - Services were hit at a government multi-specialty hospital here as 20 junior doctors went on mass leave Thursday to protest an inquiry report that suggested criminal case be filed against their three colleagues over a still-born baby’s delivery.

Three junior doctors - Deepak Kumar, Rita Gabba and Vandana - were held guilty of being negligent leading to a woman delivering a still-born baby in the hospital in July.

Following this, Chandigarh health department ordered an inquiry into this matter. In its report, the inquiry officers suggested that criminal proceedings should be initiated against the doctors.

However, to express their solidarity, 20 junior doctors went on mass leave Thursday.

M.P. Singh, deputy medical superintendent and official spokesperson of the hospital, said: “These doctors applied for leave and we have granted them. We cannot deny this as it is their legal right.”

Absence of 20 doctors from the out-patient department, which is usually jam-packed with patients, adversely affected the working of the hospital.

“We do not understand that why are they punishing only junior doctors. We do whatever our seniors direct us to do. It is sheer injustice. We would also meet Chandigarh administrator and apprise him about the irregularities in the inquiry report,” said one of the protesting junior doctors.