Known to save lives, but now a cause of many woes

Mumbai: The case of a 49-year-old Chandrakant Patil, whose operation at the J.J. Hospital has been postponed from Tuesday to another date, is just one of the many who have become victims of the doctors’ protest. Mr. Patil is admitted at the hospital since the past week after he hurt his chest and one of his hands in an accidental fall.

“I was told by the doctors that an urgent operation is needed. My son had taken off from the office for two days for my operation, but now the doctors have postponed it.” Mr. Patil worriedly added, “It is paining a lot and also no one other than my son is here to look after me. It is difficult for him to seek leave from office again.” No fresh date has been assigned yet to Mr. Patil for the operation.

Several patients have suffered because of the ongoing doctors’ strike at civic and state-run hospitals. Munir Shaikh was another such patient suffering from a severe intestinal problem, who complained of being shunned by the hospital staff. Mr. Shaikh, a resident of Wadala working as a security staff in a private firm, was suffering from liver pain and has been having problems with his large intestine. He is under treatment at the Sion hospital since two weeks.

Talking to The Asian Age, Mr. Shaikh said, “I came today as I was directed by the doctors who are treating me. I wonder what to do now since the security shoved me off stating doctors are on strike.” “When I asked another doctor, I was told to go to private a clinic as no doctor was available to treat to me. They were shouting at me. If I could have afforded the treatment then why would I have come to the hospital at all?”

A transgender, who is an HIV positive, found it difficult to get admission and receive treatment. She told The Asian Age, “I am an HIV positive. I am still finding it difficult to get things sorted. I have been running from pillar to post and no one is guiding me properly. After running and wasting time I finally got the admission.” “I am now above sixty finding it difficult to manage already. This strike has literally made me suffered. The working doctors have lots of pressure so they not taking interest either.”