Medininagar/Jamshedpur (Jharkhand): Two patients in Palamau district died today allegedly due to lack of medical treatment as doctors across the state went on mass leave for a day.
The medicos were on leave as mark of symbolic protest against the Jharkhand government's recent decision to bring education and healthcare under the ambit of gram panchayat.
Sources at Sadar Hospital, Medininagar in Palamau district confirmed 35-year-old Manish Pal, who was admitted for treatment of malaria, and Laxman Ram (25), who suffered injuries in a road accident and was admitted yesterday, died today but insisted their condition during admission was serious in both cases.
However, the family of deceased claimed the deaths occured due to lack of medical treatment.
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When contacted Palamau Deputy Commissioner, K Srinivasan said it was a serious charge and assured to look into it.
Meanwhile, over 1,800 doctors went on mass leave for a day in symbolic protest demanding immediate withdrawal of the cabinet decision to bring education and healthcare under the ambit of gram panchayat.
The mass leave followed the sit-in by doctors under the banner of Jharkhand State Health Services Association with support of Indian Medical Association, Jharkhand, in front of Raj Bhawan in Ranchi to protest the government's decision last month.
Following the decision, it has became mandatory for doctors and teachers to seek permission from the 'mukhia' (village chief) concerned for leave.
Dr Mritunjay Singh, Joint Secretary of Indian Medical Association, Jharkhand, which has extended its support to the doctors, told PTI in Jamshedpur that the Chief Minister Raghubar Das has already assured that the doctors would not have to seek permission from Mukhias to avail leave.
He, however, threatened to intensify the agitation following consultation with doctors, if the demand was not met immediately.
Barring the emergency, medical services in government hospital, health centers were badly affected.
