Revoke suspension order: JNIMS doctors

IMPHAL, Aug 17
Doctors of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, JNIMS, have submitted a memorandum to the presi-dent of JNIMS Society appea- ling to revoke the suspension order which was issued against Dr T Nimmi of the department, following the death of a female patient who was admitted under her.
The memo narrated that the patient, W Devita Devi was admitted in JNIMS on July 8 and delivered a baby on July 10 and added that she stayed in the hospital upto August 14 under the care of the staff of Obst and Gyne Department.
It pointed out that the patient expired on August 14 due to  respiratory infection and alleged that on the day the patient expired, family members and outsiders with vested interest illegally disturbed and vandalised the environment of the institution and later, Dr T Nimmi was suspended by the authorities.
Such an act has completely demoralised and depressed the entire working atmosphere of the institution, it claimed adding that the entire staff of the Obst and Gyne Department are wholly and col- lectively responsible for any medical treatment and eventuality to any patients at later stage and no single doctor is individually responsible for the death of any patient unless otherwise medically proven.
Pointing out that Dr Nimmi did carry out the operation along with a number of staff under the supervision of the unit head of the department, it alleged that suspension of Dr Nimmi is illegal, wrong and violates all rules and regulations.
Suspension and disciplinary action against a single doctor for an action which involves a team, is not acceptable, it added.
On the other hand, it mentioned that the negative publicity and propaganda in social media and some print and electronic media without proper facts and figures are disturbing apart from abetting biased opinions which not only tarnish the image of the institution and the doctors but also affect the working atmosphere.
Legal actions will be initiated against the perpetrators, it threatened. Appealing the authorities concerned to revoke the suspension order of Dr Nimmi, it added that a doctor cannot be sacrificed everytime a patient dies in the institution.
The doctors of the department might even consider mass resignation if the appeal is not responded positively, it warned.
On the other hand, the Teachers' Association (TA) of JNIMS has strongly condemned the suspension order which was issued against Dr Nimmi.
A press release issued by the TA JNIMS mentioned that an emergency general body meeting of the association was held at JNIMS lecture hall yesterday and during the meeting it was resolved that as  a protest against the arbitrary and unjust actions taken by the authorities, all members of the association will start wearing black badges from today.
It continued that the TA members will take mass casual leave on August 19 but ICU, ICCU, SICU, NICU and ward patients service will not be affected.
TA JNIMS mentioned that it endorses the stand taken by the Dept of OBG, JNIMS and gave a time frame of 10 days (starting from August 14) to complete the enquiry and revoke the suspension order, cautioning that failure to do so will led to intense agitation from August 24.
On the other hand, it informed that during the meeting, it was decided to accept the resignation of the association's president Dr N Somorjit by voice vote and incumbent VP, Dr Th Opendro Singh will be in-charge until further arrangements are made.