Jaipur: The medical fraternity in Rajasthan has called for a statewide shutdown of private healthcare services in protest against the arrest of a Jaipur-based hospital director.
The Indian Medical Association (Rajasthan unit) has announced that outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services in private hospitals will remain suspended from 8 am on April 14 to 8 am on April 15.
The protest follows the arrest of Dr Sondev Bansal, director of a private hospital in Jaipur, which has triggered widespread resentment among doctors across the state. The doctor was recently arrested in a case of alleged medical negligence.
IMA Rajasthan president Dr Mahesh Sharma said a medical board constituted earlier had found no evidence of medical negligence in the case. He alleged that the arrest was made on the basis of minor irregularities related to the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS).
A meeting of IMA Rajasthan office-bearers and representatives of various medical organisations was held on Monday to discuss the issue, following which the decision of shutdown was taken.
During the 24-hour shutdown, services in private hospitals, private medical colleges, paramedical institutions and allied healthcare facilities will remain closed. Emergency services will also be affected, the association said.
Government doctors, however, will not participate in the strike but will register their protest separately to ensure continuity of essential public healthcare services.
The IMA has also announced an indefinite suspension of services under the RGHS scheme across private hospitals, citing issues such as delay in payments, penalties and procedural complexities.
The association has demanded immediate release of Dr Bansal and resolution of issues related to the RGHS scheme in consultation with medical representatives. PTI
