Due to a nationwide doctors’ strike, patients at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi are experiencing major delays in their treatment. The unfortunate occurrence involving the trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, who was allegedly raped and murdered on August 9, is the reason for this strike. The nation’s healthcare services have been negatively impacted by the medical community’s protests.
Due to personnel shortages brought on by the strike, RML Hospital is experiencing lengthy lines and delays. The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ajay Shukla, stated that the hospital is finding it difficult to handle the influx of patients from different places. Emergency operation rooms (OTs) are operating as usual, however operations in elective OTs have decreased by 40%. Patients are becoming quite irritated with the delays in elective operations and other treatments.
Dr. Shukla expressed optimism that the strike will end soon, pointing out that the Supreme Court is now reviewing the situation and that the government had complied with the physicians’ demands. An end to the strike has also been demanded by India’s Chief Justice. The present state of affairs, in which the hospital’s ability to manage non-emergency situations is limited, tempers Dr. Shukla’s optimism.
RML Hospital patients are airing their grievances. One person said that his surgery was repeatedly delayed and that he was forced to sleep on the streets since there was nowhere to stay. Rakesh Verma, a different patient, is in dire need of medical attention for his son, who has swollen hands and feet in recent days. Verma has been to several hospitals, even private ones, but he has not been able to get the care he needs, and he is unsure of what to do next.
The Supreme Court established the National Task Force to protect medical personnel from harm, and the Union Health Ministry has responded by issuing an Office Memorandum about it. This panel was established to examine the safety issues that gave rise to the ongoing protests, and it is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
The AIIMS in Delhi is also feeling the effects of the strike, with considerably less services provided. By Wednesday, there were 65% fewer out-of-hospital admissions, 40% fewer admissions in operating rooms, 90% fewer laboratory services, 55% fewer radiological investigations, and 20% fewer nuclear medicine visits.
The protest underscores the larger issues confronting India’s healthcare system and displays serious worries about safety and security among medical professionals.
SOURCE :
TIMES OF INDIA
