AIIMS' clinics to re-open on Tuesday after four days
For AIIMS patients waiting to be checked by doctors, Tuesday might bring some hope. Nearly 2000 resident doctors of the premier medical institution went on a strike on Friday after a professor allegedly slapped a resident doctor. Monday being a public holiday (Buddha Purnima), added to the miseries of over 10,000 out-station patients. The clinics will now re-open on Tuesday after being shut for four days.
Since the doctors went on strike, only follow-up patients were allowed to meet doctors of some departments. All surgeries were canceled on Friday, and resident doctors appealed to the director to reschedule them for Monday. AIIMS is visited by around 30-40% outstation patients. For some of them, unable to meet a doctor means spending nights on the pavements.
"The residents ensured that all emergency procedures and any case where a delay might result in the deterioration of the condition of the patient were conducted even when the strike was ongoing," said Dr. Harjit Bhatti, President of Resident Doctors Association.
The resident doctors went on strike after a senior doctor slapped one of them in front of patients and staff. The striking doctors demanded a written apology from the senior, as the victim went into depression after the humiliation, and asked for his suspension as the department head. They also wanted the administration to circulate a code of conduct to the faculty.
