Elective Services Resume at Lady Hardinge Medical College
Resident doctors at Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi, have called off their indefinite strike and resumed all elective services after receiving assurances from the hospital administration. The strike began following the assault of a surgery department resident doctor by a mob of the patient’s relatives. Emergency services continued without disruption during the protest.
Incident That Sparked the Protest
The incident occurred late at night on August 12, when a patient with severe road accident injuries was brought to the casualty department. While being taken for an X-ray, the patient collapsed. Shortly after, the patient’s attendant allegedly called in a mob that entered the hospital and manhandled the resident doctor. Video footage of the attack went viral, showing the doctor being cornered while security guards attempted to defuse the situation.
Demands and Administrative Action
The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) had demanded the arrest of those involved, registration of an institutional FIR, increased security in sensitive areas, controlled access to hospital premises, and restrictions on the number of attendants per patient in emergencies. The hospital administration agreed to these measures, including the deployment of more bouncers and security staff in both LHMC and Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital.
Doctors Thank Administration and Colleagues
With the demands met, the RDA announced the end of the strike and full restoration of services. In a statement, the association thanked the hospital administration for prompt action and their fellow doctors for standing in solidarity during the protest.
