SURAT, June 10: The indefinite strike launched by junior doctors attached to the New Civil Hospital in Surat entered the second day on Wednesday even as authorities maintained that the evening Out Patients Department (OPD) system was introduced all over the state and could not be scrapped selectively.Members of the Junior Doctors Association began their strike from 5 pm on Tuesday when their demand for doing away with the evening OPD was not honoured by the in-charge superintendent. The association claimed that evening OPD was a waste of time and affected teaching schedule. Moreover, very few patients turned up in the evening and they could be attended even by the round-the-clock emergency department.
Authorities were forced to recall the teaching staff on vacation on Tuesday evening itself. Tutors were posted on clinical duty.
However, there are about 250 junior doctors, while the total strength of teachers, including those on leave, is barely 150.
In-charge Superintendent Dr Khadeeja Saifee admitted that the administration did face some difficulties but were determined to tackle the situation. She said she had spoken to the Commissioner of Health and Medical Education, who told her that the evening OPD was on in all civil hospitals of the state.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
