Radiologists set to go on strike from today

Pune: Radiologists from the city will go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday to protest against the alleged high-handedness of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act.

The state branch of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association has also decided to back the radiologists and suspend all radiological services across the state on Tuesday.

From Wednesday, the radiologists will continue their strike in Pune, suspending only ultrasound sonography services indefinitely at private clinics, diagnostic centres and all hospitals.

Government-run healthcare units will not be a part of the strike.

However, emergency services of any kind will not be denied to admitted patients and others, Suresh Chandak, president of the state branch, said.

Chandak said it is impossible for radiologists to practise with the fear of unfair prosecution. "Healthcare in India is primarily dependent on small and medium-sized private medical set-ups. Despite that, if government officials continue to harass us, there is no option but to stop practising." he said.

Sanjeev Mani, secretary of the state branch, said radiologist Ashutosh Jape from Pune was the recent victim of the act. "Jape had correctly diagnosed a case of meningocele in a pregnant patient who subsequently underwent medical termination of pregnancy. Believing this to be a case of female foeticide, Pune appropriate authority Vaishali Jadhav sealed his three sonography machines on April 5. Subsequent investigations and the panchanama made on two clerical errors in Form F have proven that this decision was taken in haste,"

"The state unit has firmly impressed upon all government authorities that in the process of unfair prosecution of Jape, there has been a gross violation of the PCPNDT Act. Still, Jape continues to suffer," radiologist Himani Tapasvi, secretary of Pune chapter of the state unit, said.

Meanwhile, Vaishali Jadhav, appropriate authority entrusted to ensure effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act in Pune, said they are functioning within the legal framework.

Radiologists in Pune will go on an indefinite strike from June 14 to protest against the alleged high-handedness of the Pune Municipal Corporation authorities in implementing Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC-PNDT) Act.

The Maharashtra state branch of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (MSBIRIA) has decided to back the Pune radiologists and suspend all radiological services across the state from June 14.

From June 15 onwards, the radiologists will continue their indefinite strike in Pune with only ultrasound sonography (USG) services remaining suspended indefinitely at private clinics, diagnostic centres and at all hospitals.

However, emergency services of any kind will not be denied to admitted and other patients in any hospital during the course of the strike. Besides, state run healthcare units are outside the ambit of the strike.

"Radiologists all over Maharashtra have decided to suspend all radiological services on June 14. The radiologists of Pune will continue to indefinitely suspend their services from June 14 onwards, till justice is served. However, we will continue to provide services in case of medical emergencies at all levels of healthcare," said radiologist Suresh Chandak, president of the state branch.

Elaborating, Chandak said, "It is becoming impossible for radiologists to continue practising with the morbid fear of unfair prosecution under PCPNDT Act. The healthcare in India is primarily dependent upon small and medium sized private medical set ups, since government healthcare facilities are grossly inadequate. Despite that, if government officials continue to harass honest privately practising radiologist, then radiologists have no option but to stop practising. Why should an honest radiologist face a jail term for no fault of his?"

Elaborating, Sanjeev Mani, secretary, state branch said, "In continuation of this harassment, another honest radiologist Ashutosh Jape from Pune has been booked under the act recently. Jape had correctly diagnosed a case of meningocele in a pregnant patient who subsequently underwent medical termination of pregnancy. Incorrectly believing this to be a case of female foeticide, Pune appropriate authority Vaishali Jadhav went ahead and sealed his three sonography machines after a five hour inspection that ended at 2 am. Subsequent investigations and the panchanama made on two clerical errors in Form F have been proven that this decision was taken in haste."

Jape's ultrasound machines were sealed on April 5 and since then Jape and the office bearers of Maharashtra state branch of Indian Radiology and Imaging Association (MSBIRIA) have been running pillar to post for getting justice.

"MSBIRIA has made multiple communications with government authorities at all levels, however all efforts have been in vain. The state unit has firmly impressed upon all government authorities that in the process of unfair prosecution of Jape, there has been gross violation of the PCPNDT Act at the hands of implementing authorities. Still, Jape continues to suffer from severe mental agony and irreparable tarnishing of his social reputation," said radiologist Himani Tapasvi, secretary, Pune chapter of the state unit.

When contacted Vaishali Jadhav, appropriate authority entrusted to ensure effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act in Pune city said, "We function within the legal framework of the PCPNDT Act. It is our duty to see that the law is followed in letter and spirit."