Bhubaneswar: Thousands of patients had a harrowing time Saturday as doctors across the state joined the nationwide protest against the alleged rape and murder of a medic in a Kolkata hospital, demanding exemplary punishment for the culprits, a Central law to ensure the safety of medical professionals and better security infrastructure at their workplaces and public areas. Outpatient departments (OPDs) and non-emergency services came to a near halt in all hospitals during the day as protesting doctors assembled on the premises, displaying placards to press for their demands.
In the Capital City of Bhubaneswar, the striking doctors from the government as well as private hospitals took out a joint rally at Master Canteen Square where they organised sit-ins. Ayush doctors joined them. Meanwhile, chaotic scenes were seen at all leading hospitals in the state. At the state’s premier healthcare facility, the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, many patients travelling from far-off places had to return due to the non-availability of services. The worst affected was the Radiology department where the number of daily ultrasounds and X-rays came down to around 40 from 150. An attendant at the hospital said the mass strike by doctors hit patients hard. “The doctors are well within their rights to protest. However, at the same time, they should understand the plight of patients, and their relatives, coming with the hope for treatment,” he said. Sudama Sahu, a patient from Kendrapara, said though he needed an immediate ultrasound for his stomach ailment, his turn didn’t arrive in the last three days. “I need the test urgently.
Today’s strike delayed it further. I can’t afford to go to a private hospital,” he said. Ghasiram Nayak, a differently abled from Nabarangpur, who visited MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur over renal problems, said he was asked by the doctor in the first half to visit in the afternoon. “However, I found the OPD shut when I went,” Nayak said. OPD services at the hospital remained suspended from 2pm to 5pm due to the strike. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had declared a nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services for 24 hours from 6 am August 17 to protest against the crime that has sent shockwaves across the country