Doctors’ protest hits OPD services in Kodagu

The outpatient department in private hospitals and nursing homes were affected on Saturday, following the doctors’ protest.

Supporting the “Dhikkar Diwas” called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), private doctors had suspended the OPD services.

The OPD services in all four private hospitals in Madikeri remained suspended. Over 15 private clinics remained closed. The hospitals had displayed a board, keeping only emergency services open.

The doctors were protesting opposing the National Medical Commission Bill 2017. Patients who had come from far away places to private hospitals were inconvenienced. Many patients turned towards the district hospital for treatment.

IMA Kodagu unit President Dr Mohan Appaji said, “Opposing the Bill, doctors have protested across the country. The emergency services were not affected in the hospitals.”

Following the protest by doctors, a large number of patients visited the government hospital.

As a precaution, additional doctors and staff were deployed in the government hospital. All the patients were treated at the government hospital.