PGI crisis: Students, voluntary bodies lend a helping hand

With the contractual attendants continuing strike at the PGI, the hospital administration is taking all necessary steps to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential medical services while prioritising patient care.

The authorities have asked the regular hospital attendants, sanitation staff and bearers to work 12-hour shifts. Deteriorating sanitation in Emergency —washrooms stinking and garbage bags not being removed — is still a major concern.

Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGI, said, “We understand the concerns of our outsourced workers and acknowledge the importance of their role within the institution. Our primary focus is on patient care and safety, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of healthcare during this challenging period. We are open to dialogue and are actively engaging with all stakeholders to resolve the matter amicably.”

Lauding the efforts made by student volunteers and voluntary organisations during this challenging time, the Director said, “We commend voluntary organisations like Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra, Nawan Nagar, Sukh Foundation and Rotaract District 3080 in addition to NSS volunteers for their invaluable role to ensure that patient care remained uninterrupted.”

Case registered against union president

A case has been registered on a complaint filed by ASI Dilbag Singh, who reported that Rajesh Chauhan, president, Contract-Based Employees Union, PGI, along with Sukhdev and other union leaders, led a protest against the PGI administration. The protest defied the DM orders prohibiting rallies, dharnas and protests.

Doctors to restart protest tomorrow

The Association of Resident Doctors, PGI, in solidarity with their West Bengal counterparts, will re-start their protest from October 15. Initially, they will stay off work in elective wards/OTs/OPDs for a few days, and boycott duty in Emergency later as a common nationwide plan. A trainee doctor was raped at RG Kar hospital in Kolkata in August.