Health minister initiates disciplinary action at AMCH

Dibrugarh, Jun 6 (UNI) The Asom government has decided to take stern actions against the ''negligent'' doctors of the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH).

Talking to newspersons here today, state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said, ''The department will not let off the doctors and others, accused of negligence and misbehaviour, involved in tarnishing the AMCH's image.'' He informed that three senior doctors of the AMCH, including the heads of departments of medicine and orthopedics, were being transferred to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital with immediate effect.

The transfers have been executed on the basis of separate enquiries into the death of a tribal leader due to alleged negligence in the AMCH. The other accusation came from a patient's house who have alleged abuse by the doctors, Mr Sharma added.

On findings of the enquiries, he said, ''The private nursing homes in Dibrugarh are trying to de-estabilise the AMCH so that they can earn more money.'' On the growing activities of the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA), he said, ''They will also be handled and made answerable for their actions.'' Mr Sharma said the performance report of the agitating doctors of the JDA would carry a remark that the latter was involved and had an inclination for participating in agitations.

''Such a remark in the performance report will shut the doors of many leading medical colleges, including AIIMS, for the JDA doctors,'' he added.

The minister informed that out of the Rs 100 crore sanctioned for the hospital, Rs 36 crore had been released for the development of the hospital.

He also pointed out that the number of patients has grown substantially over the past one year.

UNI