Kolkata: Even as the protesting junior doctors lifted their cease-work on Thursday evening, patients continued to suffer across city government hospitals, including R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, throughout the day.
Many patients at state-run hospitals, after getting the news in the evening, heaved a sigh of relief, hoping that their trauma for over 40 days would finally come to an end on Friday.
Several patients at R G Kar were refused due to a shortage of doctors on Thursday, while outdoor patients at NRS had to wait for hours.
Tapas Chakrabarty, who had met with an accident recently, came to R G Kar on Thursday with his wife and a friend. He had to be carried by his friend from one department to another. After reaching the trauma care unit, he was refused a date for his operation and was asked to visit next Thursday. “This is my third visit. Since the medicos later in the evening lifted their stir, we will try for a date this week only,” he said.
Sanu Das, 21, who met with a bike accident a few days ago, came to have his plaster removed. But it was postponed to Friday due to staff shortage, said his father Sankar Das.
“We paid Rs 1,000 to the ambulance today,” he added.
Dipu Dutta, who is undergoing cancer treatment at R G Kar, had to be admitted to a nearby hospital in Chitpore for a blood transfusion last month. “We are hoping for the normalcy to return as the doctors have withdrawn their cease-work,” his son Bibhas said.
Though the situation was better at NRS, several outdoor patients said they had delayed their visit to the hospital due to the protests. “We are poor and cannot afford private hospitals. We feel bad about the incident but a govt hospital is the only place where we can get treatment,” said Sabita Sheikh, sitting on the pavement opposite the emergency.
According to patients of general medicine and haematology, the OPD queue was long, with 300-350 patients waiting. Since most check-ups were conducted by senior doctors alone, patients had to wait longer for their turn.