Thin attendance at State hospitals even after junior doctors call off stir

Hyderabad: Patients were in thin attendance, with OP (Out-patient) footfall falling by nearly 50 per cent sometimes in the last one week in all major State hospitals in the city, but the situation was no different either on Saturday even after junior doctors resumed duties.

Not many patients were seen visiting OGH (Osmania General Hospital), Gandhi or even NIMS, Panjagutta.

Normally 1,500 to 2,000 Out-patients visit these hospitals in a week with high number seen on weekdays, but in NIMS the number of OP registrations was around 700 on Saturday.

According to OGH superintendent Dr Nagender, the less footfall for OP was expected as it was a public holiday (Saturday). With two holidays to follow Sunday and Bakrid (on Monday), the situation would be no different. Authorities stated that the normal rush of patients could be seen from the start of next week.

Due to junior doctors staying away from duties for more than 10 days with initially boycotting electives and later all duties including emergencies, the impact was felt on all tertiary hospitals under Osmania and also Gandhi, that are usually flocked by a big number of patients on daily basis.

After calling off the stir on Friday evening, junior doctors reported to work instantly.

Normalcy has been restored as far as doctors are concerned with all junior doctors joining duties and reporting to work in OP, wards and also casualty wings.

Elective surgeries that were postponed in the last ten days due to staff crunch in these hospitals are expected to resume soon.