Date:27/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/27/stories/2008042754250400.htm

New Delhi

GTB Hospital strike called off

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Much to the relief of patients, resident doctors at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, the Delhi Government’s largest medical centre, called off their strike here on Saturday evening following an assurance by the hospital authorities that their demands would be actively considered and fulfilled.

Work at the hospital had come to a standstill when doctors went on a flash strike on Friday night after relatives of a patient went on the rampage damaging hospital property and allegedly misbehaving with the medical staff. The doctors demanded additional security stating that misbehaviour by relatives of patients with the medical staff had become a routine affair at the hospital.

While the emergency services and operation theatres were functioning, work in the Out Patients Departments came to a halt following the strike call.

Death sparks trouble

Trouble started after a patient admitted to the hospital’s medical ward No. 26 died on Friday night. ``The patient, 25-year-old Shamsher Singh, died following medical complications. When his relatives were informed about the same, they beat up the on-duty staff and destroyed hospital property. Our doctors are agitated at the turn of events and are protesting about the same. We have looked into the matter and have agreed to provide more security. The hospital services were looked after by senior doctors during the strike,” said the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. P.C. Dixit.

GTB Resident Doctors’ Association president Mriganka Sharma said: “We have called off the strike this evening as two of our demands have been fulfilled. The hospital authorities have started the central alarm security system and have also deputed two Delhi Police personnel for security. Doctors and other medical staff are constantly at risk because of the aggressive behaviour of the people coming here.”