GMC Rajouri doctors begin indefinite strike

Jammu Tawi, May 25: Doctors at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri on Monday launched an indefinite strike protesting an alleged incident of harassment, unauthorised entry and videography inside the labour room and gynaecology section of the hospital. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has extended support to the agitating doctors.

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) alleged that a group of outsiders entered the labour room during the night of May 17 without permission, threatened doctors and staff, created chaos and recorded videos inside the restricted area, violating the privacy and dignity of female patients.

Doctors claimed that despite submitting a written complaint immediately after the incident and following it up later, the hospital administration failed to take prompt action. They said the incident exposed serious security lapses and created fear among healthcare workers, particularly female staff working during night shifts in sensitive departments.

The RDA had warned that if action was not taken by Monday morning, Junior Residents, Senior Residents and postgraduate doctors would proceed on strike. Following the lack of concrete action, the indefinite strike began on Monday.

An official report prepared by the Medical Superintendent of Associated Hospital GMC Rajouri confirmed key aspects of the incident. According to the report, the outsiders claimed to be attendants of a patient admitted in the gynaecology ward and allegedly pressured doctors to immediately perform surgery despite the patient being stable and not requiring emergency intervention.

The report further stated that the individuals threatened the doctor on duty, argued with senior doctors and security personnel and carried out unauthorised videography inside the labour room, where photography and recording are strictly prohibited. Police and security officials later intervened and escorted the outsiders out of the ward.

The Medical Superintendent noted that CCTV footage supports the allegations made by the doctors and staff. The report acknowledged lapses in hospital security and sought an explanation from the Security Incharge over inadequate deployment and failure to prevent unauthorised male entry into the labour room during odd hours.

The report also mentioned that similar incidents had reportedly taken place earlier and described the accused persons as habitual offenders involved in previous cases of misbehaviour and unauthorised videography within hospital premises.

The protesting doctors have demanded immediate registration of an FIR, improved deployment of trained security personnel in sensitive areas including labour rooms, ICUs and operation theatres, stricter restrictions on attendants and stronger CCTV surveillance systems.

FAIMA strongly condemned the incident, stating that violence, intimidation and intrusion into sensitive patient-care areas cannot be tolerated. Doctors also cited a 2024 DGHS memorandum mandating institutional FIRs within six hours in cases involving violence against healthcare workers.

The RDA said the protest is aimed at ensuring the safety of doctors, protecting patient dignity and maintaining a secure healthcare environment.