Tinsukia/Dibrugarh: In the wake of the increasing attack on the doctors and the murder of Dr. Deben Dutta at Teok Tea Estate in Assam’s Jorhat district on last Saturday, the Assam Medical Service Association in Tinsukia along Indian Medical Association (Assam Unit) are observing a 24-hour "withdrawal of non-emergency medical services,” across the state from Tuesday morning.
Earlier, in a joint memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia by the IMA Tinsukia branch and Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA), Tinsukia branch, it was further stated that they would resort to another 24 hours withdrawal of medical services except for emergency from 6 am of September 3 to 6 am of September 4 in response to the call given by Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA). The Assam Medical College Teachers’ Association also expressed solidarity with the IMA. A candlelight procession will be brought out in Tinsukia on Tuesday by the doctors and their families.
The doctors serving in tea gardens might resign en-masse if Assam branch of Indian Tea Association (ABITA) does not show positive stand towards the demand of IMA Assam. The IMA Assam State branch in a letter to Abhijit Sharma, secretary of ABITA, has set September 5 as deadline to fulfil its demand pertaining to deployment of professional security personnel and installation of CCTV cameras else the IMA will be compelled to give a call for withdrawal of all doctors from the tea gardens across the State of Assam from September 6.
Similarly, doctors at the Assam Medical College Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh also observed a 24-hour "withdrawal of non-emergency medical services” on Tuesday since early morning.
The doctors along with the Medical Associations staged a protest in front of the Out Patient Department (OPD) and also appeal before the government to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits and further urged to beef up security measures including installing surveillance cameras in all health establishments including those in tea gardens.
Meanwhile, the IMA (HQ), New Delhi has sought the immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal requesting them for proper investigation.