FaceBook: Doctors on war path

Govt told to withdraw termination order within 48 hours

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU, MARCH 20 : Extending support to Dr Amit Kumar, who was terminated from his services as Registrar in department of Anesthesia on March 15 for an ‘anti-government’ post on Facebook, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) today threatened to stop emergency services in the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu in case the doctor is not reinstated within 48 hours.

After submitting a written ultimatum to the Principal, GMC&H, Jammu, the doctors’ body said that Dr Amit Kumar’s sacking is “unacceptable” as by no way it violated the SRO-525 of State Government.
The SRO-525 issued by the government in December last year barred government employees from using their social media accounts for “illegal, anti-national and contentious political discussions.”

According to the statutory regulatory order (SRO), no government employee shall engage in any criminal, dishonest, immoral or notoriously disgraceful conduct on social media which may be prejudicial to the state.

Addressing media men here today, the RDA president, Dr Saurabh Katoch said that the comments of Dr Amit on Facebook were in no way meant to target the hospital administration or the government.
He also said that following the incident, Dr Amit has submitted unconditional apology with the office of Principal Government Medical College Jammu, “which you considered unsatisfactory.”

“Warning should have been issued to Dr Kumar before sacking him from services. He is an honest and dedicated registrar of the GMC&H,” the RDA president said.


The other office bearers of the RDA said that they all stand united with Dr Amit Kumar. They also asked the Principal GMC&H to intervene into the matter and reinstate the terminated doctor “with immediate effect.”

“If Dr Amit’s termination order is not revoked in next 48 hours i.e. by March 21, we will be forced to express our resentment in a different manner,” the RDA warned the GMC&H principal.

The RDA members also said, “After completion of notice period i.e. March 21, we will stop OPD services, routine surgical procedures in main OT, routine college academic activities i.e. clinical classes and lectures and from March 24, we’ll stop all emergency services.”

Tomorrow, it is learnt that the RDA will serve the ultimatum to Minister for Health and Medical Education Department, Bali Bhagat.net to