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AIIMS starts functioning

Staff Reporter

"There is a sense of relief among doctors and patients"

RUSH HOUR: Normalcy was restored at the Emergency ward of AIIMS after the strike was called off in New Delhi. — Photo: R.V. Moorthy

NEW DELHI: With resident doctors and faculty at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here suspending their strike and reassuming work on Friday night, medical services at the Institute have returned to normal. While the out patient department started functioning on Saturday morning, emergency services were restored on Friday night itself.

AIIMS Director P. Venugopal also attended office on Saturday. Signing and clearing some important files in his office, the Director refused to make any official statement to the press stating that he was advised against it as the matter was sub-judice.

Meanwhile, patients started queuing up at the Institute's admission counter since early Saturday morning.

Most relieved were outstation patients many of whom had decided to camp in the city after the medicos went on a flash strike on Wednesday after the Institute's government body recommended dismissal of Dr. Venugopal.

"The out-patient department and emergency services are working normally with the protesting doctors back at work on Friday night," said AIIMS spokesperson Shakti Kumar Gupta.

While the hospital did see a backlog of patients, Resident Doctors' Association president Binod Patro said: "Health services have returned to normal since last night and we are taking care of the patients coming here."

Faculty Association vice-president Binod Khaitan said: "Medical services are now being provided to patients and there is a sense of relief among doctors and patients."

Heaving a sigh of relief, patients at the Institute claimed that despite the heavy workload doctors were putting in extra efforts to take care of the patients. "I thought I will have to go back home without getting proper treatment for my mother, but we are thankful to God that the doctors here have called off their strike and returned to work. I am sure that my mother will be taken care of now," said Utam Kak, who had come to the Capital from Assam and had opted to stay in Delhi till the strike was over.

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