Protesting Doctors Await Detailed Talks Despite Supreme Court’s National Task Force Order
NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, doctors at RML Hospital watched as the Supreme Court mandated the formation of a national task force to improve healthcare worker safety. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) welcomed the decision but insisted their protest would only end after in-depth discussions with their members. All resident doctors’ associations (RDAs) convened general body meetings following the court ruling, but talks were inconclusive. Representatives will now seek feedback from resident doctors before continuing discussions.
The strike persists as there is no consensus on the next steps. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) acknowledged lapses in safety protocols for doctors. It urged hospitals to adopt “Code Violet” guidelines to address violent threats swiftly and effectively.
Patients Bear the Brunt
Patients are significantly impacted by the ongoing protest. Long queues formed outside All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), with treatment delays stretching to days. Umesh Verma from Bihar voiced concerns that his 12-year-old niece might not survive after her heart surgery was postponed. Their daily expenses have escalated due to the indefinite wait. Similarly, cancer patient Mohammad Souid, also from Bihar, experienced delays in his scheduled surgery.
Sixty-year-old Rekha shared her frustration, as her daughter’s eye consultation was deferred, causing additional inconvenience after traveling from Haryana with her children.
Healthcare services at AIIMS remain crippled for the ninth consecutive day, with outpatient department (OPD) and operation theatre (OT) functions severely affected. OPD appointments dropped by 65%, with only 4,274 patients seen by 4:30 p.m. The number of surgeries also plummeted by 85%, with only 113 operations conducted.
As the deadlock continues, patients and their families face growing uncertainty and hardship, highlighting the urgent need for resolution.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/forda-welcomes-sc-order-but-says-stir-to-continue-for-now/article68547940.ece
Category : Delhi
Tags:
