OPD services disrupted for 3 hours at Rajindra Hospital

Patiala, August 12

Resident doctors at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital staged a protest today by suspending OPD services for three hours. The protest was part of a nationwide demonstration against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal.

Dr Akshay Seth, president, Resident Doctors’ Association at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, stated that the security arrangements at the hospital and other medical institutes and district hospitals were inadequate. He emphasised the need for immediate improvement, especially to ensure the safety of female doctors and staff working in night shifts. The protest at the main OPD was held from 8 am to 11 am, causing significant inconvenience to patients who had travelled from far-off places for check-up. However, Emergency services continued uninterrupted.

Speaking on behalf of the PCMS Association, Dr Harinder Gill said other major hospitals in the district, such as those at Rajpura and Nabha, also lacked adequate security. When heated disputes lead to medical examinations, family members often get agitated and confront medical officers and staff, making it difficult for the medics to conduct impartial examinations. — TNS