Chaos Grips Prayagraj as Junior Doctors Strike at SRN Hospital Following Brutal Assault

Prayagraj is grappling with a severe healthcare crisis as junior doctors at the prestigious Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital have launched an indefinite strike, plunging essential medical services into chaos. The protest was triggered by a horrific incident where a junior resident doctor was allegedly brutally assaulted by the relatives of a deceased patient, sparking widespread outrage and fear among the medical fraternity.

The harrowing incident unfolded when a patient, identified as Santosh Kumar, was brought to the hospital's emergency ward in a critical condition.

Despite the tireless efforts of the medical staff, Kumar tragically succumbed to his illness. In a shocking turn of events, the patient's relatives, consumed by grief and anger, reportedly turned their aggression towards Dr. Lavesh Kumar, a junior resident doctor on duty. Eyewitnesses describe a scene of pandemonium, with Dr.

Kumar being subjected to a violent physical assault, leaving him shaken and injured.

The immediate aftermath saw junior doctors at SRN Hospital unite in solidarity, expressing their collective dismay and profound concern over the escalating violence against healthcare workers. Their demands are clear and resolute: immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the assault and the implementation of robust security measures to safeguard doctors who dedicate their lives to saving others.

The striking doctors assert that such acts of aggression not only endanger their lives but also create an environment of fear that impedes their ability to provide optimal patient care.

The impact of this strike has been devastating for the thousands of patients who rely on SRN Hospital for their medical needs.

Out-patient Department (OPD) services, which cater to a vast number of daily consultations, have ground to a halt. Emergency services, the lifeline for critical cases, are functioning with severe limitations, staffed by a handful of senior doctors struggling to cope with the overwhelming demand. Scheduled surgeries and routine check-ups have been postponed indefinitely, leaving patients, many of whom have traveled from remote areas, in a desperate plight.

Hospital authorities, including the Principal of MLN Medical College (which SRN Hospital is affiliated with) and the Chief Medical Superintendent, have engaged in discussions with the striking doctors, appealing for the resumption of duties.

They have assured the doctors of stringent security enhancements and cooperation with law enforcement to ensure swift justice. Police officials have also confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the identified assailants, and investigations are actively underway to apprehend them.

Despite these assurances, the junior doctors remain firm in their resolve, vowing to continue their protest until their demands for safety and justice are unequivocally met.

The standoff continues, casting a long shadow over healthcare delivery in Prayagraj and underscoring the critical need for a safe working environment for medical professionals across the nation. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by frontline healthcare workers and the urgent necessity for societal respect and legal protection for those who stand between life and death.