65 patients die as junior docs strike continue in Bihar

Around 65 patients are reported to have died as the indefinite strike by over 1000 junior doctors continue to cripple functioning of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Around 65 patients are reported to have died as the indefinite strike by over 1000 junior doctors continue to cripple functioning of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

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Around 60 patients in PMCH and 5 patients in DMCH have died during the strike period, PMCH Junior Doctors' Association spokesman Naquie Imam told PTI.

"The strike has badly affected the functioning of emergency and other wards of the two important hospitals in Bihar," he said.

The strike has been continuing since Tuesday in PMCH while health services in Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital also suffered when junior doctors joined the strike Thursday midnight.

PMCH Superintendent Dr O P Choudhary, however, claimed that the strike had no impact in the hospital and said, "We are utilising the services of more than 90 doctors deployed from nearby government hospitals and private nursing homes".

Imam declared that they will not withdraw the strike until the state government fulfils their demand for enhancing monthly stipend from Rs 13,000 to Rs 25,000.

"We would go and complain against the strike to Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC)," Choudhary said.