By IANS
Lucknow : Out to defy court orders against private practice, doctors of the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) here Friday paralysed all patient care services in Uttar Pradesh’s biggest hospital.
The doctors were protesting against the Allahabad High Court order to strictly enforce the ban on private practice.
The conditions at KGMU – renamed by Chief Minister Mayawati as Chattrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) – have been deteriorating largely on account of the doctors’ penchant for private practice.
In the process, a larger chunk of doctors fail to perform their duties in the century-old medical school.
The doctors blame the local administration for their strike.
“Our colleagues are being hounded and humiliated by the police who knock at our doors at all odd hours. This is no way to treat doctors, we are not criminals,” said CSMMU Teachers Association president Rama Kant.
Lucknow District Magistrate Chandra Bhanu maintained: “We are trying to ascertain whether a doctor is indulging in private practice or not, and this is pursuance of the directives of the high court.”
He added: “Some names have been submitted to the court.”
While doctors and the administration are locking horns over the dispute, about 2,000 patients who visit the hospital every day were denied treatment and 2,200 indoor patients remained unattended through the day Friday.
About 40 surgeries slated for the day also could not be carried out.