Junior Doctors Strike at CIMS Bilaspur Over Alleged Assault

Incident Details

Junior doctors at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur have initiated a strike following an incident involving a female intern from the radiology department. The intern alleged that a technician slapped her twice while she was on duty. In response to this incident, the striking doctors have insisted that they will not resume work until appropriate disciplinary measures are taken against the technician and assurances regarding their safety are provided.

Impact on Hospital Services

The ongoing strike is anticipated to disrupt hospital operations significantly, affecting patient care and services at CIMS.

Allegations Against the Technician

The incident occurred when the technician allegedly held the intern’s hand and questioned her familiarity with him. Within moments, he reportedly slapped her twice. The situation escalated to the point where her senior colleague had to escort her to a private cabin, where they locked themselves in due to the technician’s aggressive behavior.

Response from Hospital Authorities

The intern claimed that when the incident was reported to the hospital administration, no stringent action was taken against the technician. Instead, the administration characterized the technician as “mentally unwell,” suggesting he was experiencing a manic episode during the altercation.

Doctors’ Concerns and Demands

The junior doctors have accused the CIMS administration of trying to downplay the incident and pressuring the intern to return to work without ensuring her safety. Outraged by the perceived inaction, they have called for an indefinite strike, demanding strict repercussions for the technician and a commitment to safeguarding the well-being of all medical staff, particularly female interns.

Statements from Medical Associations

Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network, expressed concerns on social media platform X, stating, “Today he dared to slap, tomorrow he will try to molest another woman. This is the level of harassment Indian women face silently.”

Related Incident

In a separate but related matter, an MBBS student at CIMS was found dead in the hostel, with an investigation currently underway.