Doctors’ strike at IGMC, Shimla, leaves patients helpless

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 17

Thousands of patients visiting the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), state’s biggest hospital, were left helpless and disappointed due to the unavailability of medical services.

Patients especially those who visited the hospital from far-flung areas of the state were disheartened when they reached the hospital only to find out about the strike. Many of these patients included senior citizens and patients from poor families who faced hardship in reaching the hospital.

Badar Singh, an elderly patient from Renuka in Sirmaur district, said that he was not able to get the treatment due to the ongoing strike. “It takes Rs 1,000 for us to reach Shimla from Sirmaur which is too much for us. Now I will have to wait till Monday and will have to find myself a place to stay,” he said.

Murat Singh, a patient who came from Rampur in Shimla district for knee treatment said that he was not aware of the strike and didnot have a place to stay in Shimla. “I will put the bedding on the hospital’s floor,” he added. Meher Singh, a patient from Kullu who had come to the Urology Department at IGMC said he found out about the strike when he reached Shimla.However, Medical Superintendent (MS), IGMC Dr Rahul Rao said that the hospital management was trying to make arrangements so that patients do not face any kind of inconvenience and they get timely treatment.