Doc strike hits NE healthcare

Guwahati/Imphal/Agartala: Medical services were hit on Monday as doctors across Assam joined the daylong strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in solidarity with their counterparts in West Bengal.
The doctors, with placards in hand, were seen demanding security for medicos across the country. Some senior doctors and healthcare personnel took time off from work to participate in the protest.
Emergency and casualty services, however, continued to function everywhere.
“On humanitarian grounds, we are providing emergency services. Only OPDs will remain closed for the day,” said a member of Junior Doctors’ Association.
Another doctor sought strict laws for their protection in view of the assault in the Kolkata hospital.
Meanwhile, in Manipur, normal medical services were suspended on Monday to support the all India strike called by IMA. The Manipur State Branch also supported the strike. OPDs were closed down in all hospitals.
To support the strike, all diagnostic centres were also closed down. Casualty were functional in all hospitals.
Treatment of patients, who were in the hospitals, were however given normal services.
Doctors, nurses and support staff staged sit-in protests in front of their hospitals.
A meeting was also held at the office of the IMA at Lamphelpat.
Normal operations were also suspended for the day.
However, in Tripura, doctors in all government hospitals on Monday ceased work in the OPDs (Outpatient Patient Departments) in solidarity with the striking medicos of Kolkata. (Agencies)