Over 1,200 resident doctors of Safdarjung Hospital called off their strike after the authorities assured them of better security.
“The issue has been resolved and the doctors have called off the strike. We have assured them of adequate security. How-ever, it will take time,” medical superintendent, Dr N.K. Mohanty said.
Meanwhile, the Union health ministry is planning to raise a special security force. This was decided in a meeting held on Wednesday between joint secretary, union health ministry, Shakuntala D. Gamlin, members of Resident Doctors’ Associ-ation and medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital.
Dr Pratap Dutta, joint secretary, RDA, Safdarjung Hospital said, “We are told that soon around 500 security guards will man the hospital. They will be equipped with walkie-talkies for internal communication for any emergency need.”
“Now onwards, only one attendant will be allowed with one patient and relatives will require a pass to visit the ailing relative admitted in the hospital.”
Dr Mohanty said that a tender in regard to the enhanced security will be finalised on September 17.
The resident doctors struck work Tuesday after some women doctors and nurses were allegedly manhandled by angry relatives of a patient who died of suspected dengue. It was the second flash strike by doctors at the hospital in less than a month.