Strike adds to patients’ pain in Dera Bassi

DERA BASSI:Health services in the Dera Bassi constituency remained partially disrupted and government-run hospitals and community health centres wore a deserted look this morning as doctors decided to boycott work for a day as a mark of protest against the attack on two junior doctors of NRS hospital.

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, June 17

Health services in the Dera Bassi constituency remained partially disrupted and government-run hospitals and community health centres wore a deserted look this morning as doctors decided to boycott work for a day as a mark of protest against the attack on two junior doctors of NRS hospital.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had given the strike call with the withdrawal of non-essential health services across the country.

On Monday, out-patient departments (OPDs) remained closed and the number of patients waiting outside hospitals or visiting the emergency wards was also low. However, the emergency services functioned normally.

At some of the private hospitals, there were patients but no doctors. At some hospitals, out-patient departments wore a deserted look and there were neither patients nor doctors.

A 30-year-old pregnant woman, who visited the Civil Hospital here for routine follow-up, said: “I did not have any idea about the closure of the OPD. I always come here for check-up, but today I cannot find a doctor for consultation. We are facing a lot of discomfort because of the strike”.

“Like me, there are other patients too wandering around as they have no information,” said a patient from Issapur village, Dera Bassi, preferring anonymity.

Doctors from across the country held demonstrations and stayed away from work to express solidarity with their Bengal counterparts.

OPDs remain shut

On Monday, out-patient departments (OPDs) remained closed and the number of patients waiting outside hospitals or visiting emergency wards was also low. However, the emergency services functioned normally.