Patient Services Disrupted Across Kolkata as Senior Doctors Begin 48-Hour Strike in Solidarity with Junior Colleagues

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 15, 2024, Kolkata: Private hospitals across Kolkata faced severe disruption in patient services as senior doctors launched a 48-hour partial work break in support of junior doctors. The strike, called by two prominent organizations—the Federation of Medical Associations and Healthcare Professionals—began at 6 AM on Monday and is set to continue until 6 AM on Wednesday.

The protest, aimed at pressing the state government to address the demands of junior doctors, has led to a halt in outpatient department (OPD) services at most private hospitals, as well as the cancellation of numerous scheduled surgeries. While emergency services remained functional at hospitals like The Woodlands, Bellevue, and Peerless, overall patient attendance plummeted, indicating the widespread impact of the work stoppage.

At Bellevue Clinic, 40 scheduled surgeries were canceled on the first day of the strike, with only 10 emergency surgeries going ahead. Woodland Hospital reported a similar situation, canceling 16 surgeries while conducting just 3 urgent cath lab procedures. OPD services were also heavily affected, with Peerless Hospital seeing only 92 patients compared to its usual daily average of 800. The hospital reported that on the same day last year, 250 patients had visited the OPD, highlighting the drastic reduction in patient care during the strike.

Patients across the city were left stranded as various medical services, including scheduled surgeries and consultations, were suspended. Many had to return without receiving the treatment they had been waiting for. “I had an appointment scheduled for today after waiting for weeks, and now I have no idea when I’ll get treated,” said one frustrated patient outside Peerless Hospital.

The senior doctors, backing their junior counterparts, expressed frustration over the state government’s lack of action in addressing the demands raised by the junior doctors, who have been protesting for improved working conditions and safety following recent incidents in hospitals. “The state government has not yet accepted the demands of the junior doctors. We want immediate action,” said a senior doctor participating in the strike. Both the doctors' organizations leading the protest have reiterated this demand.

The strike has created uncertainty for patients and hospitals alike. With thousands relying on the city's private healthcare system, the disruption of services over the two-day period is expected to result in a backlog of medical appointments and rescheduled surgeries. Healthcare professionals have expressed concern that this could strain the system further in the coming days once normal operations resume.

Though emergency services remain available at key hospitals, the overall reduction in patient care has raised concerns about the impact on individuals requiring routine but important treatments. The outcome of the ongoing strike and whether it will lead to any concessions from the state government remains to be seen. As the work stoppage continues, Kolkata’s healthcare landscape faces a challenging couple of days ahead.