Farrukhabad tragedy: Govt. doctors go on mass leave to protest FIR against colleagues

Government doctors posted in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad district went on mass leave to show their distress over the charges framed against the senior doctors of a state-run Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where 49 infants died within a span of a month due to lack of oxygen, on Tuesday.

Office bearers of the state medical associations informed that they have decided to be on leave till September 7 disrupting medical services in the government hospitals. Office bearers also told the media that emergency and post-mortem services will not be disturbed.

The Provincial Medical Services (PMS) in a memorandum sent to Uttar Pradesh’s health principal secretary Prashant Trivedi have demanded withdrawal of FIRs against the three doctors immediately.

Also Read|Farrukhabad tragedy: UP govt denies lack of oxygen caused 49 child deaths

The PMS has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of acting hastily and under pressure. They have also warned the government to stop victimisation of innocent doctors immediately.

The PMS has also urged the state government to form a technical team to evaluate the deaths of infants. The association claims that a non-technical team has been probing the deaths of 30 infants in the neonatal critical unit and 19 in the delivery room due to lack of oxygen.

Also Read| Uttar Pradesh: 49 children die due to lack of oxygen in one month at a Farrukhabad’s hospital

President of the district PMS Association Ashok Yadav told the media that doctors work hard to save lives with limited resources and manpower.

An FIR was lodged on Monday against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) and a senior child specialist of the hospital following directives from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.