Outcry against doctor’s transfer

Lehra residents hold protest, see plot by influential persons

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Lehra Mohabbat, September 4

Hundreds of residents are up in arms against the transfer of a doctor from the Primary Health Centre here. They are adamant that they will not allow Dr Ashwani Kumar to go.

Available round the clock, the doctor would help patients get medicines at a substantial discount.

The doctor’s popularity can be gauged from the fact that various social and employees’ organisations, in association with the village panchayat, raised a tent at the Primary Health Centre where Dr Ashwani Kumar, who was relieved three days ago, examined patients at the week-end.

Dr Ashwani, his grey hair tied into a pony-tail, was swarmed by patients. As he examined patients, protesters carrying placards raised slogans against the government.

“Dr Ashwani has been seeing patients till late in the evening, not only from Punjab, but also from Haryana and Rajasthan,” claimed Jasmel Singh, president of the Lok Morcha, Punjab.

“On the doctor’s insistence, chemists in the village give us medicines on a substantial discount. Even lab owners in Bathinda oblige him. Dr Ashwani does not take commission,” said Kulwinder Singh, a local youth.

Dr Ashwani said he was not defying government orders and was among the 68 doctors transferred in the state.

The doctor, who has raised a team of volunteers that includes his daughter, has always examined patients on a first come, first serve basis. “The no-nonsense approach of the doctor earned him many enemies who got him transferred,” said Shingara Singh Mann, block president, Kisan Union.

Kulwinder Kaur from Ropar and Amritpal from Chandigarh were among hundreds of patients who attended Dr Ashwani’s week-end clinic.