Little impact of protest by PGI resident docs

Ten doctors observed hunger strike and around 400 staged a demonstration in the PGI complex on a 12-hour protest call (from 9 am to 9 pm) given by the Association of Resident Doctors today. Most of the doctors, however, took part in the protest only during off-duty hours.

The Emergency, Advanced Trauma Centre and other important departments functioned as usual, while the OPD service was curtailed. The doctors didn’t leave their patients stranded and attended to them as usual.

The new registrations at the OPDs remained suspended and the timings for follow-up patient registrations was cut by an hour, from 8 am to 10 am. As the doctors had announced their strike in solidarity with the resident doctors of Kolkata hospitals two days ago, there was lower patient turnout than usual in OPDs.

A few patients from far-off places, who were unaware of the strike, were inconvenienced. They could not register for OPDs due to curtailed service. A 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The agitating doctors are seeking justice for the deceased doctor as well as enhanced security for the medical staff in hospitals.

80% doctors report for duty

According to the PGI authorities, 80 per cent resident doctors reported for duty, demonstrating dedication to patient well-being. The Outpatient Department (OPD) managed a total of 4,852 patients, the Emergency OPD admitted 148 new ones and the Trauma Centre OPD saw 22 new cases. Twelve procedures were performed in the Cath Lab, five women underwent delivery and 152 patients received day care chemotherapy. The Emergency staff treated 314 patients, while the Advanced Trauma Centre doctors attended to 227 cases.