IMA’s statewide strike today Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 16

With Dr Gursharan Sidhu, wife of Dr Gurdip Singh Sidhu, giving the computerised records of the investigations of Jagat Bhushan Johar, the local BJP leader who died following a bariatric surgery at Sidhu Hospital, Doraha on July 11, to the district health authorities, the medical fraternity is hopeful of getting justice for Dr Sidhu. Civil surgeon Dr SP Sharma said the exact cause of death would come out after the viscera report, as his heart and lungs had been sent for the test. Maintaining anonymity, a doctor on the inquiry board constituted by the civil surgeon said the findings of the post-mortem examination did not point to “medical negligence”. Retaliating against the registration of criminal case against Dr Sidhu for medical negligence following the death of the BJP leader, the state body of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today announced a statewide strike on July 17. IMA state president Dr Yash Sharma said IMA members in the state would observe a token strike from 9 am to 12 noon by boycotting work at their hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. However, doctors would carry on with the emergency services. The medical fraternity has demanded action against the mob, led by local BJP leaders, that had vandalised the hospital property, beaten up doctors/staff on duty and resorted to violence against patients undergoing treatment at the hospital.