Chandigarh: No let-up in patients’ suffering as resident doctors continue stir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 14

Owing to the ongoing indefinite strike by medics, patients continued to suffer for the second day at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, and Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16.

In response to the call given by the national body, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at local hospitals went on an indefinite strike to demand justice for a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee, who was allegedly raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata.

With a total of 1,276 resident doctors suspending their duties, the PGIMER authorities had decided to curtail the services till further orders.

Meanwhile, the footfall of patients was recorded low in comparison to yesterday, as the news of doctors sitting on a strike spread like a wild fire. A total of 71 patients were admitted as indoor admissions, and as many as 75 surgeries were conducted. A total of 43,081 lab investigations were conducted.

“The hospital is closed tomorrow, owing to the national holiday. The flow of patients was less today in comparison to yesterday,” said a doctor at the PGI.

“I was aware about the strike, but my online appointment was not cancelled by the authorities. On reaching here, I was asked to undergo a lab test and there’s no one to guide us properly,” said Ankur from Jind.