Doctors stir hits OP services in hospitals

Hyderabad: Medical fraternity in Telangana stopped OPD (Out-patient Department) services as per the nationwide strike call given by the Indian Medical Association on Monday.

Doctors from various government hospitals, corporate hospitals, private hospitals and nursing homes, clinics stayed away from OP duty forcing patients to return without receiving any treatment. However, Inpatient and Emergency services functioned as usual.

Protests and rallies were held in Osmania General Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, Niloufer Hospital etc in the city condemning the brutal attack on a physician in NRS Medical College, Kolkata.

The OP services came to a halt causing inconvenience to the public. At Niloufer, patients families were stopped at the main gate until 12 noon, which is the scheduled closing OP timing every day.

At OGH, junior doctors held a rally carrying placards that had slogans like-do not let white coats turn red, suffering but still serving, stop violence against doctors etc. They also held placards opposing the government's proposed move to hike the retirement age of teaching faculty in Government Medical Colleges.

Junior doctors urged governments in Centre and all States to ensure safety for doctors and take stringent action against those indulging in attacks on doctors. Telangana Junior Doctors Association chairman Dr PS Vijayender Found said the age hike would do grave injustice to scores of PG doctors in the State.

Doctors in NIMS, Panjagutta staged protest in hospital premises on Monday morning expressing solidarity with striking doctors in West Bengal. Senior doctors from different departments and resident doctors took part.

Dr G Srinivas from NIMS Resident Doctors Association wanted governments to ensure the safety of doctors at work. Outpatient services came to a halt in various government hospitals in various districts.

Doctors from Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital stopped OP and Diagnostic services on Monday. Doctors from various departments held a rally in hospital premises and were joined by State executive members of Telangana IMA including president Dr Pratap Reddy and secretary Dr Sanjeev Singh.

Doctors from noted corporate hospitals including KIMS, Star, Sunshine etc as well as Maxivision Eye hospital also lent their support to medical fraternity from West Bengal.

Some hospitals suspended all out-patients services and put elective surgeries on hold showing their solidarity towards protesting doctors. Stress was made on the implementation of strict laws across the nation to prevent physical attacks on doctors.