Service shutdown at Jaipur private hospitals leaves patients stranded

Jaipur: The indefinite shutdown of OPD, IPD and emergency services by private hospitals in Jaipur Friday caused severe hardship for patients, disrupting routine consultations, follow-up care, diagnostic advice and treatment for chronic illnesses. Medical services remained suspended at nearly all private hospitals in the city.

While hospitals continued treating patients already admitted, fresh admissions were stopped, forcing many in need of hospitalisation to seek beds elsewhere.

The strike was called by private medical institutions in protest against alleged misconduct with the family of Dr Somdev Bansal during proceedings at the Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench, Thursday. Doctors alleged that during the hearing on Dr Bansal’s bail plea, a group created noise, raised slogans and disrupted court proceedings, preventing the hearing from continuing. The matter was adjourned to May 11.

The Indian Medical Association’s Jaipur branch alleged that after the hearing, some persons stopped Dr Bansal’s father and brother and subjected them to threats, assault and misconduct. The association said the incident triggered outrage and fear among doctors in Jaipur and across Rajasthan.

Dr Bansal, attached to a private hospital in Mansarovar, was arrested by police on April 12 for allegedly submitting forged and fabricated documents under the Rajasthan Govt Health Scheme. The case was registered at Mansarovar police station on Sept 29, 2025, on a complaint by Jitendra Kumar Sharma, whose mother had been admitted to the hospital.

IMA Jaipur secretary Dr Anurag Tomar said the woman, mother of a lawyer, was treated at Nivik Hospital under RGHS in Sept 2025 and died during treatment. He said a medical board formed after the complaint found no medical negligence or irregularity in treatment. Despite this, he alleged, sustained protests and pressure led to a criminal case against Dr Bansal over alleged RGHS irregularities and minor errors, resulting in his imprisonment. “We will continue our indefinite strike and take out rally in the city Saturday,” said Dr Tomar.

Health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said the matter was before the court and not directly linked to his department, but expressed displeasure that needy patients were not receiving treatment.
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