Fatigued interns go on strike, asking for seniors to stay back and more manpower
Demanding an increased manpower and availability of senior doctors to attend critical patients at all hours, the interns at the Sagar Dutta Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata are on a relay strike. The agitation was initiated two days ago. On Tuesday, the demands were put before the health department officials. They have threatened to intensify the agitation if the demands remain unmet after two days.
No senior doctor available after 2 PM
Speaking to The Times of India(TOI), one intern said that after 2 PM no senior doctor is available in the hospital. This leaves the responsibility of caring for even the critical patients with the inexperienced interns. The intern added that if something goes wrong with the patients, they will come under blame.
The hospital was upgraded to a teaching hospital in 2001. The 500 bed strong hospital faces a dire manpower limitation. Apparently, once senior doctors and faculty members leave for the day, it’s the 85 interns-having only temporary registration who practically run the hospital.
Another intern said to the TOI that request has been made to the health department officials to not just increase manpower but also set up a police outpost in the hospital. He added that unless some development is seen by Thursday, the interns will go on an indefinite strike.
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