Mumbai: Nearly 550 resident doctors attached to the civic-run Sion Hospital went on a day-long strike on Monday to support their counterparts from JJ Hospital, who have stopped work since Saturday after two resident doctors were attacked by relatives of a patient. Doctors at KEM and Nair hospital continued work, but with a black band around their arms.
The strike at Sion affected patients, but emergencies were attended to. The outpatient department (OPD) catered to 1,909 patients, which, on other days, goes up to nearly 3,500, while 12 surgeries were performed against the daily average of 25.
“We did not attend the OPD and routine calls. However, everyone on emergency duties reported to work. We ensured that emergency patients are not affected,” Dr. Naresh Kabra, vice-president of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors at Sion Hospital, said.
Mob enter OT complex
A mob of about 25 people created a ruckus at Sion Hospital early on Monday. The group of relatives surrounded doctors on the third floor of the surgical OT complex after their patient — a 30-year-old — succumbed during treatment.
The patient had been hospitalised for the past two weeks due to thromboembolism (blood clot) and other problems.
A resident doctor said the internal security could not control the mob. “Within seconds they would have attacked the doctors. The crowd dispersed only after the police were called in.”
“This is the issue we are fighting for. How did such a large crowd go up to the third floor? This tells us that there are several loopholes in the security,” he said.
Hospital orders inquiry
Dr. Jayashree Mondkar, dean, said she has initiated an inquiry into the incident. “There was definitely a security lapse if so many people went up to the OT.”
She said the patient had undergone an amputation of one upper limb a few weeks ago and was stable. “However he suddenly developed abdominal discomfort and collapsed. A post-mortem was conducted.”
At the time of going to press, the hospital had not filed a police complaint.
