Patients left in the lurch as resident doctors observe strike at Chandigarh hospitals

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

A large number patients suffered today as over 1,700 resident doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32 and Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, today observed strike, crippling the elective services in their respective institutions. The strike was in support of nationwide protests against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in a Kolkata hospital.

Came from Rajasthan, have to go back now

We are from Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. Our local doctor asked my mother to visit the PGIMER regarding her eye problem. When we reached here in the morning, we were informed that the OPD services are suspended. Now, we will have to go back again. — Jayant, 38

Elective services at the PGIMER remained suspended since 8 am and at the GMCH, since 12 noon. While no new OPD registrations were done at the PGIMER today, authorities claimed that routine follow-ups and consultation were done by senior doctors. However, some patients, who had reached the health facility for routine check-up, alleged that they were not entertained by the staff. The faculty members at the PGIMER also expressed solidarity with residents.

At the GMSH, the OPD services were affected as all 120 residents were on strike. They organised a protest march from 8 am to 11am and later joined the PGIMER resident doctors.

Due to the protest and suspension of services, patients remained at the receiving end. While the Emergency services were operational, but patients who had their appointments for surgeries, etc, were not entertained by the staff. “We tried to inform patients through various channels that the services will remain suspended and their surgeries, if elective, won’t be done by the staff. We will continue our strike tomorrow,” said Dr Smriti Thakur, vice-president, Association of Resident Doctors, PGIMER.

At the PGIMER, a lot of patients were seen stranded outside the OPD having no idea about the strike. “We are from Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. Our local doctor asked my mother to visit the PGIMER regarding her eye problem. When we reached here in the morning, we were informed that the OPD services are suspended. Now, we will have to go back again,” said 38-year-old Jayant.

“It is not easy for patients to travel from distant places to Chandigarh. Their strike is causing grave inconvenience to us. We are farmers and have come all the way from Gurdaspur,” said Gurbachan Singh, who was here for his son’s treatment. The PGIMER resident doctors also held a protest march on the campus. At the GMCH, elective services were suspended since 12 noon. “This is in solidarity with our community. We deserve safer environment to work,” said Dr Umang Gauba, president, GMCH-32 Resident Doctors’ Association.

Doctors are demanding strict action against the Kolkata-incident accused, speedy trial in the case and safe workplace for resident doctors. “We want the Central Protection Act for Doctors implemented. We save human lives, but it is a sad state of affairs that we ourselves aren’t safe,” said Dr Gauba.