Doctors' strike leaves patients helpless in Delhi

New Delhi: Health services in the Capital took a severe hit, after LNJP and GB Pant hospitals stopped their outpatient department (OPD) services on Wednesday – with LNJP Hospital going so far as to close its emergency services.

Patients and their attendants from Delhi-NCR were left high and dry, as resident doctors at prominent Delhi government hospital's continued their strike for the second consecutive day, demanding better security for doctors and staff inside the hospital.

Sherada, a resident of Farash Khana whose six-month-old baby girl is suffering from a severe chest infection, reached LNJP Hospital, only to find doctors on strike and had to return home dejected and without a check-up of her daughter.

Meanwhile, Rambeer Dabaas, said, "I came from Narela to get my 70-year-old mother examined, who is suffering from cancer. But we were shocked to hear about the doctor's strike here (LNJP)."

Talking to reporters, president of GB Pant Hospital resident doctors' association Dr Nishant said, "We want a safe and secure environment to give our services at the hospital. We also want the administration to register institutional FIR against the miscreants."

"Three layers of security should be established to filter out the excessive number attendants coming with the patients," he further said.

The recent spate of attacks on doctors at hospitals here came under the scanner of the Delhi High Court, which on Wednesday, directed the authorities to take adequate measures to ensure safety and security of medical professionals. It also warned of contempt if steps were not taken.

JC Passey, medical director at LNJP Hospital, said, "We have approved all the demands raised by the resident doctors, Now the ball is in their court to call off the strike."