Hospitals see fewer outpatients

With no transport available, several patients visited hospitals on Friday in private vehicles. Some could not keep their appointments, according to doctors. Dr Chandrashekar, HOD, Psychiatry, Victoria Hospital said that out-patient attendance was low. However, the emergency wing of the hospital functioned as usual as all doctors were present, according to hospital authorities. “Many patients called me to say they could not make it because of the bandh,” he added.

In K C General Hospital, a similar situation prevailed.  “We usually see about 600 patients. Today, there were only 289. We kept all the departments functional to avoid any inconvenience to patients,” said Dr Manjunath, medical superintendent, K C General Hospital.

On the other hand, a senior doctor from Vani Vilas Hospital said that as chemists across the city had shut doors, several patients thronged the hospital’s pharmacy to buy medicines. 

Over 100 employees of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences also staged a protest with Karnataka flags. They staged a demonstration from Nimhans to Bangalore Dairy Circle and resumed work, according to M P Nagaraj, general secretary, Nimhans Employees Association.

Durgappa, a heart patient from Vijayapura who was unable to reach hospital after landing in Bengaluru, was helped by locals to reach Jayadeva Institute of Cardio Vascular Sciences and Research in an 108 ambulance.