DDU docs end strike
Doctors at Deen Dayal Upadhayay Hospital in west Delhi's biggest government hospital resumed work on late Saturday evening, after hospital administration assured them of enhanced security in a week's time. HT reports.
Doctors at Deen Dayal Upadhayay (DDU) Hospital in west Delhi's biggest government hospital resumed work on late Saturday evening, after hospital administration assured them of enhanced security in a week's time.
More than 250 resident doctors boycotted work — paralysing all out-patient department (OPD) services — after relatives of a patient assaulted doctors and security guards on Friday evening.
"The strike has been called off and all services will resume from Sunday. Meanwhile, we have ordered the termination of the contract of the current security agency," said Dr Zille Dar Singh, medical superintendent of DDU Hospital.
Enraged over the death of Raju Kumar, 32, his relatives beat up two doctors-on-duty at the hospital on Friday night. While Dr Kesar suffered serious injuries on his face, Dr Dewan escaped with minor bruises. The angry relatives also beat up three security guards when they tried to intervene.
The family is angry over the "callous attitude" of the hospital. "Raju would have been alive if the doctors had responded more responsibly," said Kamal Kumar, his relative. The family alleged that they lost precious 45 minutes, which cost the patient his life.
"If we were told at the very outset that they will not be able to admit the patient, we would have taken him to some other hospital," said another relative, who didn't wish to be named.
The medical superintendent, however, denied the claim.
"The patient had hepatic encephalitis. He was stabilised and then shifted to the ward after almost five hours in observation. In the evening, he suffered a sudden seizure, affecting his brain and causing sudden death," said Dr Singh.