Patna: The three-day outpatient department (OPD) boycott by doctors under the Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) had little impact on government hospitals across the state, with most facilities operating as usual on the second day of the strike (March 28).
Strike Details & Doctors’ Demands
- The OPD boycott, scheduled from March 27 to 29, was called to demand safer workplaces and the filling of vacant posts in government hospitals.
- BHSA claimed the boycott was successful across Bihar. However, on-the-ground reports showed normal functioning at major hospitals in Patna.
OPD Services Remain Largely Unaffected
- Gardanibagh Hospital: Recorded 284 registrations on March 27 and 270 on March 28 from 8 AM to 2 PM, with no disruptions.
- Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sima Singh stated: “We should focus on delivering care despite challenges. I don’t support boycotting work over small issues.”
- New Gardiner Road Super Specialty Hospital:
- 480 registrations on March 27 and 387 by 3:15 PM on March 28 at the ground-floor counter.
- Dr. Pushpa Prakash, Emergency OPD In-charge, confirmed that hospital services remained unaffected.
Future Course of Action
- BHSA spokesperson Dr. Vinay Kumar warned that if the government does not respond, the OPD boycott will continue on March 29.
Despite the strike call, patients did not face major difficulties, and most government hospitals in Patna functioned smoothly.
