Sunit Dhawan

Rohtak, July 26

Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) doctors and National Health Mission (NHM) staff members staged a joint protest demonstration in front of the district Civil Surgeon's office at Rohtak today.

The Haryana branch of the Indian Medical Association has also extended support to the HCMS doctors.

"The strike is on and will continue until our demands are met," asserted Dr Vishwajit Rathi, the president of the local chapter of the HCMS doctors association.

As per sources in the Health Department, no surgeries or post-mortems were conducted by the HCMS doctors at the local Civil Hospital on Thursday and Friday.

The issuance of medical certificates, medico-legal reports and provision of other medical services has also been brought to a nought due to the ongoing strike.

Sources pointed out that the number of patients visiting the OPDs at the local Civil Hospital recorded a steep fall today as the news of the doctors' strike spread.

While 1,947 patients had visited the Civil Hospital for treatment on July 24, the number dropped to 1,296 on July 25 and 1,022 on July 26.

"All 1,947 patients who visited the hospital on July 24 got treatment, while only 647 of the 1,296 patients who visited the hospital on July 25 received treatment. Merely 473 of the 1,022 patients visiting the hospital on July 26 got treatment," said a source.

The striking doctors say that they have been compelled to go on strike due to the lackadaisical attitude of the state authorities.