Neet has Osmania house surgeons skip duty on Jan. 6

A senior doctor at Osmania General Hospital, Dr Sharief, submitted a letter to the DMO that reportedly talks about the inadequate presence of doctors in the hospital. He claimed that there were no house surgeons in the hospital on January 6 because of the Neet exam scheduled for the next day. But no special arrangements were made despite the duty resident medical officer being informed of the impending absence of doctors.

His letter read, “No alternate arrangements were made and patients came into the casualty (ward) in huge numbers, and I had to ask the security personnel to send patients in one by one.” He also stated that no PG was posted in the casualty ward as per MCI norms. According to hospital records, about 91 patients were admitted on that night.

B. Nagender, superintendent of OGH, said, “House surgeons were on leave, but that does not make a difference as they never run the casualty any way. There were about 15 senior resident doctors in every department and also postgraduate students. I also visited the ward to ensure that thing went smoothly. We do not know why such a complaint has been sent because no patient was left unattended that night.”

The complaint also stated that only one doctor was present in the casualty ward for two hours. The superintendent, however, denied the claim and said that the enquiry to continue.

“Specialist doctors need to be available in the casualty at all times. Only then can we give better service to poor people who cannot afford corporate private hospitals,” the complainant said.

Junior doctors often have to work long hours and on several occasions beyond their shifts.