Patients continue to suffer as doctors' strike enters 4th day

The private medical establishments remained closed for the fourth day on Thursday in Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts opposing the government's move of passing an amendment to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act (KPMEA).

The Outpatient Department (OPD) of all the private hospitals did not function. Only emergency cases and in-patients were provided treatment. The patients were directed to the government hospitals explaining about the protest and come only after a couple of days.

As a result, the number of patients at the government hospitals in Mysuru manifolded and the medical and paramedical staff had a tough time to manage the crisis.

The situation was worse at the hospitals in Hassan, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts. Long queues were seen at the counters issuing receipts and at the OPDs of various departments.

The patients from rural areas, who were unaware of the developments were the worst affected. While the private hospitals sent them back, there was a long queue at the government hospitals.

The diagnostic and scanning centres, laboratories also remained closed. However, the pharmacies were open, much to the relief of the patients, suffering from minor ailments. However, the business at pharmacies have also been affected due to doctors stir since the past three days, it is said.

Puttalingamma, a resident of Madapuradoddi, Maddur taluk, suffering from urinary infection had come in an ambulance to get scanned in Mandya. She could not get scanned as the centres remained closed. Nagaraju, son of Puttalingamma said, though scanning facility is available at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, his mother has been given appointment for January 20, 2018, for getting scanned. "As we cannot depend on the government hospitals during an emergency, we opt for private diagnostic centres. Now, even those are closed. I don't know what to do," he said.

The dentists too had extended support to the protest and closed their clinics. Notices were displayed on all the private medical shops announcing about the protest and services not available.

DH News Service