Assam: Doctor’s absence from duty at Digboi CHC during duty hours raises grave concern

Digboi: Sensation gripped the Oil town Digboi on Friday afternoon following the unofficial absence of an on-duty doctor here at Digboi Community Health Center (CHC) which might cost heavily for a student lying in the emergency chamber with severe chest pain and breathing issues.

According to the guardians, attendants and school management committee accompanying the ailing student, the OPD doctor on duty Dr. Jitumoni Deori was missing unauthorisedly from the hospital for more than an hour while the patient continued groaning in acute chest pain.

Despite repeated contact by the journalists on the phone with the In-charge of the hospital Dr. Niharika Borah, the said doctor did not turn to attend to the emergencies for more than an hour.

The doctor who has been allegedly practicing in several private establishments outside the government hospital finally reported at 3.20 pm while the patient had been struggling since 2 pm in the bed without any doctor.

Ironically, when asked about his whereabouts during duty hours, the erring doctor reportedly hurled abusive and unethical words at the local journalists however later begged an apology for his misconduct.

When contacted, the joint Director Tinsukia also expressed the unexpected and uncalled act of missing unofficially from his duty from 2 pm to 3.20 pm.

“However, the erring doctor would be show-caused officially,” informed the Joint Director.

Meanwhile, talking to the NeNow, the General Secretary of the Digboi Journalists Union Rajesh Upadhyay vehemently criticized the doctor for making derogatory remarks to the journalists in general and demanded that the upper hierarchy take immediate action against the journalists.

The union also despised the hospital management committee for failing to ensure the attendance of the on-duty doctors to attend to the patients despite their physical availability.

“The Union would submit a complaint to the joint Director of Health, Tinsukia very soon demanding stringent action against the defaulting doctor,” said Upadhayay.