Patients turned away as OPDs remain shut

"I had to return home as there were no doctors in the hospital. Although there was a notice saying it was a bandh, we hoped we would be treated," said Nagalakshmi, who came for a medical check-up at a private hospital on Cunningham Road on Friday.

Private hospitals across the state were protesting against the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Bill.

Another patient Smitha, who was limping with knee pain, was also asked to come back the next day.

Like Nagalakshmi and Smitha, thousands of patients who came for treatment at various hospitals, had a similar experience as there was only a skeletal staff for emergencies and inpatients.

"Some patients who came in the morning were agitated as they were told that the out-patient services are closed for the day. We put up notices everywhere in the hospital to inform the patients," said Dr George D'souza, dean of St John's Medical College.

Krishnappa, who has been in KIMS Hospital for treatment for two days, said no doctor attended on him on Friday.

Mohsin, who came from Bapujinagar with warts on his chest was desperate to meet a doctor. He came to see doctors to fix a date of the surgery, but he had to return home without seeing the doctors.

DH News Service