Bhubaneswar: The statewide cease-work protest by doctors under Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA) on Wednesday led to a surge in patient footfall at govt medical colleges and hospitals, and private hospitals across the state.With services disrupted at primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), subdivisional hospitals and district headquarters hospitals, many patients visited the medical college hospitals for treatment. The 15 hospitals with medical colleges in as many districts witnessed a heavy rush at outpatient departments (OPDs) and emergency wards, leading to longer waiting hours.Sanjay Tarai, a resident of Humma in Ganjam district, said he heard in the news that doctors at govt hospitals would go on strike from July 1. “That is why I came all the way from Humma to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur. But the OPD is crowded today (Wednesday),” said Tarai.Hospital authorities said the patient load increased significantly as people preferred larger healthcare facilities where services remained available. Attendants and patients were seen queuing up at registration counters and OPDs since morning.“Normally, we receive around 4,000 to 4,500 patients a day. On Wednesday, we received at least 20% more patients. Keeping the doctors’ strike in mind, we had taken steps to manage more patients in the OPD and emergency ward. We handled the patients smoothly,” said AIIMS Bhubaneswar medical superintendent Dr Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy.The situation was similar at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack. Due to the protest by the govt doctors at hospitals on the outskirts of Cuttack, many patients visited the premier hospital. “The govt had asked us to remain prepared to handle more patients. We made the necessary arrangements to manage the overflow. As the doctors’ protest is continuing at several govt hospitals, medical colleges will definitely receive more patients,” said Dr Jyotish Chandra Choudhury, medical superintendent of SCBMCH.Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, and PGIMER, however, witnessed a normal flow of patients despite rain.The impact of the strike was also felt in the private healthcare sector, with several private clinics reporting higher-than-usual patient turnout. Some patients said they opted for private facilities after finding services affected at nearby govt hospitals.
