Patna: Demanding a rollback of the State Government's decision to cancel all leaves till April 5, the nursing staff attached to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) started a dharna inside the Medical Superintendent's office on Sunday.
The nursing staff, particularly women, are angry with the authorities for the cancellation of weekly leaves, natural leaves and festival leaves (Holi) in view of the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state. During the dharna, the nurses raised slogans against the Bihar government and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
IANS reports that as per the directive, doctors, junior resident doctors, medical superintendents, directors, paramedical staff, JNM and ANM employees will not be able to take leave till April 5.
The health department further directed those medical staff who are on leave to join their respective hospitals and medical colleges immediately.
"We had written letters to the medical superintendent and Dean of PMCH on Saturday, but they refused to pay attention to our plea," said a women nurse, requesting anonymity.
Earlier, Nitish Kumar had directed the top officials of the health department to scan the travel histories of every individual coming into Bihar.
Due to Holi on March 29, migrant labourers are returning home in large numbers. The Chief Minister has directed the officials to intensify checking at the railway stations, bus stands, airports, etc., and make people aware of the second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Vibha Kumar Singh, a civil surgeon in Patna, said: "We have declared 15 micro containment zones in Patna and are closely monitoring the development. We will increase the number of containment zones accordingly."
"In the last 24 hours, 88 new Covid-19 were reported from different parts of the state. Among them, 41 cases were reported from Patna, including two persons who succumbed to the disease. We have 472 active cases in Bihar at present," said an official from the health department.
Meanwhile, the news has been making rounds on Twitter. One user wrote, "Nurses in Patna Medical College & Hospital demonstrated against the cancellation of leaves in view of the 2nd round of Covid-19 spread amid the Holi festivities."
Nurses in Patna Medical College & Hospital demonstrated against the cancellation of leaves in view of the 2nd round of Covid-19 spread amid the Holi festivities.@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @khogensingh1
— Rajesh K Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) March 21, 2021
Such a move by the State Government is not a new one. Last year, during the wake of the pandemic, PMCH had taken similar measures. had last year reported that in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) had cancelled the leave of all doctors and support staff. The hospital had also appointed two nodal officers for monitoring and treatment of patients.
Also Read: Patna medical college cancels leave of doctors, support staff