The West Bengal government on Saturday issued showcause notice to private clinical establishments after a section of their doctors launched a day-long protest here against what they called "a series of relentless violence against doctors and other medical professionals" and complete inaction on the part of the police and administration.

"We have issued showcause notice to the clinical establishments under the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Act, 2017. They have to respond by August 28," Director of Health Services B.R. Satpathi told IANS.Patients from various districts of the state, who had appointments at leading multi-specialty private hospitals in the city, were inconvenienced as outpatient departments remained shut in most of the private hospitals and nursing homes in response to the cease-work call by the United Doctors Voice of Bengal.Against the backdrop of a series of relentless violence against doctors and other medical professionals and to protest complete inaction on the part of police and administration regarding the violence and extortion cases in various medical institutes, we have decided to cease work completely and suspend all non-emergency activity," doctors said.

The cease-work was triggered by alleged threats and intimidation by a patient's kin (at CMRI Hospital) who had refused to pay the hospital bill amounting to Rs 75,000.The protesting doctors expressed "complete solidarity with their CMRI colleagues".They, however, assured emergency services and care of admitted patients "would be taken to fullest extent".But for those like the elderly Giridhari Dutta, a trip to a hospital here proved futile."I had an appointment. They told me they can't see patients today. At least they should have informed us a day ago," Dutta said.The same was true for several others who had come to the city from districts like West Midnapore and Hooghly as well as from neighbouring Bangladesh for treatment."This is not right. This is like trade union strike. They are here to offer services. For a few people, everyone has to suffer," a patient's relative said.People for Better Treatment, a registered society fighting for a better healthcare system, has written to the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) denouncing the move as "both morally and legally wrong".

It wrote: "It (strike) also violates the mandatory provisions of MCI Code of Medical Ethics & Regulations, 2002. More importantly, in response to a recent PIL filed by our organisation against 'doctors' strike' (W.P. Civil No. 253/2012), Supreme Court of India has held that strike by doctors 'may amount to negligence warranting action for misconduct'. "In fact, apex court also issued categorical direction that in case of doctors' strike, Medical Council of India and other State Medical Councils must be approached to take suitable action against such striking doctors." It pointed out that a similar strike last week by doctors at Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital (CNMCH) had brought enormous misery on the hapless patients."In view of the 'doctors' strike' and the unequivocal direction from the Supreme Court of India as mentioned above, we submit this formal representation to request you to take immediate and exemplary disciplinary action against all striking doctors at private hospitals and CNMCH for their misconduct in accordance to the law," the society added.