Assault on doc: Physicians cease work at Athagarh hospital

Athagarh: Healthcare service in the outdoor ward of the Athagarh Sub-divisional hospital disrupted today as physicians staged a cease-work strike protesting the assault on a doctor by two youths during the wee hours on Monday.

Sources said two youths of the locality thrashed doctor Chandan Gadnayak of the hospital following an argument. The doctor later lodged an FIR at the Athagarh police station in this regard.

“When I was on duty, two local youths came in between 4.30 am- 5 am today. They said the patient is on the way and asked me to open the emergency room. When I said the dressing room is open and let the patient come in first, they started abusing me. The two even hit me with their fists. Later some fellow doctors came to my rescue,” said Gadnayak.

Such incidents are repeatedly occurring at the Athagarh hospital, he added. “We will not join our duties until and unless the two are arrested and the Medicare Act-2009 is implemented,” the doctor warned.