Doctors strike for justice in Odisha's medical colleges, healthcare takes hit

BHUBANESWAR: The strike by medical students, interns and junior doctors in medical colleges across the state continued on Monday, as they sought justice for the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered in a govt-run hospital in Kolkata.

Protests have been ongoing despite the fact that the 24-hour nationwide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) got over on Sunday morning. As protests continued, patients had to bear the brunt.

In the absence of adequate staff at the outpatient departments (OPD)s in govt hospitals, including AIIMS Bhubaneswar, many patients had to leave without securing appointments with doctors.

"Normally, junior doctors and resident doctors handle the OPDs along with faculty members. Due to the strike, only faculty members have been taking care of patients at the OPDs. Because of this, many patients had to return without getting an appointment with doctors," said a faculty member at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Ashutosh Palei, a patient from Ganjam, said he could not get a ticket for neurosurgery due to limited issue.

"I have been suffering from chronic back pain for the past five months. I visited other hospitals before coming to AIIMS. I hope the doctors will call off the strike soon and attend the OPD. I will try to get a ticket on Tuesday," Palei said.

The situation is similar in Vimsar, Burla. The protest by junior doctors and MBBS students entered the fourth day on Monday. OPD services have been badly affected.

"We cannot work in an unsafe environment. The govt must pay heed to our demands," said Punit Chhabria, president of junior doctors' association at Vimsar, Burla.


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