Strike slows down Tricity

Medical services hit partially after 1,700 workers join strike.

Healthcare facilities at the premier tertiary care institute, PGIMER, were hit partially after about 1,700 contractual employees working in different departments, in a move to show their solidarity with trade unions on a two-day national strike, did not work on Wednesday. Consequently, the registration of patients at the New OPD block, which is done for three hours in the morning, was hit badly. The queues were longer than usual and the staff, which was called in later to take charge, was ill-equipped to handle the heavy rush.

Also, there was chaos on the roads inside the PGIMER, as many employees who were on strike gathered at the gate of the PGIMER, thereby making it inconvenient for the patients and their relatives to get in and out.

While the PGI authorities claimed that they had made adequate arrangements to ensure that the health services were continuously provided, nevertheless, the patients were inconvenienced as initially the counters were empty and after an hour, the regular staff was brought in to take charge. Most of the patients complained that they had to wait for one and a half hour to two hours to get the registration done and deposit fee at different counters.

On the contrary, the PGI authorities claimed that all the emergency services, OPDs and indoor services functioned as per schedule in PGIMER. As per the contingency plan, the hospital attendants and sanitation attendants, from within and outside, were redistributed in different areas. "With the cooperation of clinicians, paramedical and other staff, the functioning was near normal. The number of patients registered in the New OPD block was 5,646 and till 4 pm on Wednesday. 160 major surgeries were performed in the OTs of Emergency Complex, Trauma Centre, Nehru Hospital, Advanced Pediatric Centre, Advanced Eye Centre and Advanced Cardiac Centre," said Manju Wadwalkar, official spokesperson of PGIMER.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Bansal back in city, Cong leaders told to put up show of(f) strength

To save ‘crucial evidence’, cops left injured unattended

Magic Up His Sleeve

‘Why can’t police admit its mistake... they should apologise to her 2 sons’