Patient body decries Kolkata medicos? strike

Kolkata : A patients’ body led by a US-based Indian doctor that works against medical negligence has denounced the ongoing strike by doctors at the state-run SSKM and other government hospitals in the city.

Calling the doctors? strike ?immoral, unethical and against all medical rules and regulations?, People for Better Treatment (PBT) said the strike was ?illegal and unconstitutional? as it clearly violated the Right to Life of the patients protected under Article 21.

The organisation had earlier lodged a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court after several patients died at the AIIMS Hospital in Delhi as a result of another doctors? strike in 2006. The PIL was admitted by the apex court and is pending for final adjudication.

?We plan to implead the striking doctors in Kolkata and the West Bengal health department that has miserably failed to provide healthcare for the ordinary people of West Bengal when this PIL comes up for final hearing in the Supreme Court,? said PBT president Kunal Saha in a press release from USA.

The PBT has also filed a complaint to the West Bengal Human Rights Commission on Monday, seeking their immediate intervention and demanding adequate compensation for the patients who have died or suffered physical or emotional injuries as a result of this strike.

Formal complaints with state Health Minister Surja Kanta Mishra and the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) have been lodged demanding cancellation of the registration of the striking doctors ?since their action clearly violates WBMC Code of Medical Ethics?, said Saha.

The NGO has also appealed to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who had earlier severely criticized attacks on the doctors by the aggrieved families of the patients, ?to understand the underlying reasons for doctor bashing? and take necessary action.