Missing PGIMS newborn: Docs ready for lie-detection test, but continue strike; healthcare crippled
The doctors had earlier refused to undergo the test and the police had alleged that they were not cooperating in the probe.
Five doctors of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, on Wednesday agreed to undergo polygraph test in connection with the disappearance of a newborn child from the hospital ward on September 10.
The doctors had earlier refused to undergo the test and the police had alleged that they were not cooperating in the probe.
“SP Sir warned them of action since it is a criminal case. The doctors were told that they are bound to cooperate in the investigations. They finally agreed to undergo the test this afternoon,” said Rakesh Saini, SHO of the PGIMS police station.
After their consent, the police moved the court and sought permission to conduct the lie-detection test on 14 suspects, who also include nine staff nurses and Class-4 employees of the hospital. The SHO said the permission was granted. Meanwhile, the resident doctors continued their strike for the second day, crippling the healthcare at the largest hospital of Haryana.
The doctors had expressed reservation about going to the police station for interrogation, and urged the hospital administration to provide in-house security to them whenever they are called by the police.
OPD SERVICES BADLY HIT
Due to doctors’ strike, services such as scheduled surgeries and out-patient department were badly hit. Many patients complained they were being asked by the hospital to arrange for private care.
“My wife complained of sweat and acute weakness this morning. We checked her blood pressure in the village, which was found to very low. I brought her here at PGIMS. They just did some checking and told she has heart problem, and asked us to get her admitted to some private hospital instead,” said Om Prakash, a resident of Rohtak district.
The hospital, however, maintained that emergency care and deliveries are not being affected by the strike. “The number of patients has come down, but no patient requiring emergency care is being turned down by the hospital. Senior doctors are working round the clock to cater to emergency patients,” said PGIMS spokesperson Dr Prashant Kumar. He strongly denied media reports attributing deaths at hospital to the ongoing strike of doctors.
“The demands of the doctors are being considered. We are hopeful they will end the strike very soon,” he added.