Patna Medical College and Hospital

Patna Medical College and Hospital doctors have called off their proposed strike after assurances the health department would revoke suspension of two senior residents.

But senior residents said they would wear black badges until the suspension is formally revoked. Principal secretary, health, Deepak Kumar said: “The senior resident doctors have submitted their explanation. The suspension is likely to be taken back. Proceedings could be initiated on Monday.”

Anuradha Singh, a senior resident doctor of the paediatrics department of PMCH, said: “We have been informed by officials that they would take back the decision but we would wear black badges as a mark of protest. We have given the department seven days in which to take back the decision.”

On Saturday, the doctors decided to boycott work from Monday in protest against the health department’s decision to suspend two senior resident doctors in a case related to death of a nine-year-old on September 17.

Surendra Saw, the father of the child, had claimed he was asked to pay a bribe for his son’s oxygen. According to Saw, a Grade IV employee at the hospital denied to operate the oxygen cylinder unless bribed.

The health department suspended senior resident doctors Saroj Kumar and Rashmi Agrawal and nurse Shanti Devi. Anuradha said: “How can senior residents be implicated when the matter was not reported to them on that very day?”

Vivekanand Paul, a member of the Junior Doctors’ Association of PMCH, said: “The department should have first issued a showcause notice to the senior residents.”

PMCH deputy superintendent Sudhanshu Singh said the administration knew about the decision of senior resident doctors to go on strike but they had no clue that the juniors would join them.