Doctors join nationwide strike, patients suffer

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 17

Hundreds of doctors held a convention and a protest in solidarity with the bandh call given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against the attack on two junior doctors in Kolkata.

The bandh was backed by the Indian Dental Association, National Integrated Medical Association and the Medical Students’ Network. While Jalandhar has 1,500-member largest IMA unit in the state, the protest received a rousing response and was backed by many interns. Doctors from both government and private sectors took part in the protest and demanded strict implementation of the Medicare Act 2008.

With the routine services and OPD facilities remained suspended during the protest on Monday, patients who arrived at the Civil Hospital from distant places had to return without treatment.

Unaware of the doctors’ strike and government holiday, Rahul Kumar (26), a migrant from Kartarpur, said he had come for the check up of his pregnant wife. However, nurses at the emergency ward refused to attend to her and asked them to visit tomorrow. Rahul said it was difficult for him to visit the hospital again as his wife was in the sixth month of pregnancy.

Moreover, several OPD patients also returned from private hospitals unattended. The working staff at the hospitals stated that they had already cancelled the appointments for the day and those who called were advised to visit on Tuesday.