Doctors, scientists demand apology from Gujarat CM for discrimination between COVID-19 patients on faith

The Progressive Medicos and Scientists Forum (PMSF) – an organisation of doctors and scientists has demanded an unconditional apology from the Gujarat CM, Vijay Rupani for the creation of different wards for the COVID-19 patients based on their religion in a Ahmedabad based hospital.

Stating that “when the entire world is fighting an epic battle against the biggest health emergency that has encompassed the entire world in over a century” the ruling party has stooped to this level that it is differentiating on the basis of religion.

“We demand from the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani to tender an unqualified apology for this policy measure taken by his government; dismiss his deputy and the state health minister, and meet-out strongest possible punishment to others who conspired in committing this act,” reads a statement issues by the organisation.

Calling upon doctors and health workers to expose such efforts, the PMSF appealed to “Doctors and other health care professionals not to meekly submit to the conspiracies of the government and the communal establishment. They should rather expose any such attempt irrespective of the powers that be. Failure to do so would only lead to health workers becoming the chief recipient of the people’s ire against the system, especially as the policies being pursued by the government to tackle the ongoing health emergency have already resulted in untold suffering to the people.”

The Indian Express on Wednesday had reported that “the coronavirus patients and suspected cases at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where 1,200 beds have been set aside for COVID-19, have been segregated into wards depending on their faith. While Medical Superintendent Dr Gunvant H Rathod said award for Hindu patients and another for Muslim patients had been created as per a state government decision, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Nitin Patel denied any knowledge of it”.