In Gurgaon, Noida, business as usual in govt facilities but key pvt hospitals join IMA’s stir call

However, OPD services were affected at private hospitals like Yashoda and Max in Ghaziabad. “We informed the patients about the strike by making calls to them,” said the Medical Superintendent of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital in Kaushambi, Dr Chandan Kumar.

“We turned down around 300 patients early this morning,” Kumar added.

When The Indian Express visited the hospital at 1.15pm, a few patients could be seen returning. “I had a leg injury. But now I am returning,” said Pramod Kumar, 51, a resident of New Ashok Nagar in Delhi.

A similar situation was seen at Noida’s Kailash Hospital where OPDs were suspended even as the doctors offered emergency services.

All services were operational at Noida’s district hospital in Sector 39. “We have been working today,” said Chief Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Renu Aggarwal.

However, a few patients outside the district hospital complained of being turned down.

“My wife’s sugar level and blood pressure increased suddenly,” said Khoda resident Raghuveer Singh, 48, as his wife lay on the stretcher outside the hospital. “We do not know where to go,” Singh added.

In Gurgaon, various private hospitals including Medanta and Fortis began a 24-hour protest at 6 am, Saturday. At the civil hospital, services were available through the day, officials in the health department said.

At Medanta Medicity, Dr Sangeeta Khanna, a senior doctor of anaesthesiology department, said, “We are in solidarity with doctors. A young on-duty doctor does not have the safety to carry out her work. If she is not safe there, where will she be safe? We need justice,” she said. Another protesting doctor, Dr Yashika, said, “We are aware of our responsibilities. We are protesting and working simultaneously,” she said.

At Fortis Hospital, a spokesperson said that OPD and elective surgery services were shut in light of the protests. The son of a patient at the oncology department said his mother had already been admitted and was undergoing treatment. Other patients said they had prior appointments at the hospital and their services were not hit. “Doctors gathered and held a demonstration in the morning, but we have not denied anyone treatment so far,” a staff member said.

(Inputs from ENS Gurgaon)