With several private hospitals closing their OPD services on Friday in protest against the proposed amendment to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, the number of patients visiting District Wenlock Hospital increased drastically.

Speaking to DH, superintendent of Wenlock Hospital H R Rajeshwari Devi said that a total of 1,820 patients availed OPD services at the hospital. "In fact, the number of patients visiting casualty was also high. A total of 124 patients were seen at the casualty till evening."

The district has 65 primary health centres, seven community health centres, four taluk hospitals, one district Wenlock Hospital and Lady Goschen hospital. Health services were provided at all the government facilities.

The health department also has 17 ambulances and 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulances to serve the public.

The PRO of a private hospital in Deralakatte said that, "The OPD services were not provided to patients. However, the patients who have come from far off places were treated at casualty and emergency."

Though almost all private medical establishments were closed in Udupi district, outpatient services in the Kasturba Hospital at Manipal, Dr T M A Pai Hospital in Udupi and Dr T M A Pai Rotary Hospital at Karkala were open on Friday.

Kasturba Hospital said that these three hospitals were open following a request from the Karnataka High Court in view of inconvenience caused to the public. "Adarsha hospital remained closed on Friday. The imbroglio continues. The decision of OPD will be taken on Saturday," said a staff.

On the other hand, the health department is prepared to treat patients in the backdrop of the stir by private doctors. DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao said that the leave of medical practitioners and paramedical staff working in government hospitals has been cancelled and they have been asked to provide all the health care facilities to patients.

Patients can contact PHC, CHC, taluk hospital/district hospital for any health ailments.