PVT HOSPITALS TO JOIN IMA PROTEST TODAY

The outpatient department (OPD) of private hospitals and clinics in Lucknow will remain closed on Tuesday as part of the nationwide protest call given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

The IMA members will also take out a march in the morning from IMA Bhavan.

President, IMA (Lucknow), Dr PK Gupta said the protest had been called on several issues concerning doctors including issues such as security and working conditions.

“The provisions for hospitals and doctors under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act should either be relaxed or it should be framed again as several rules are so stringent that it is impractical to follow. The security of doctors should be ensured by local administration in every city as cases of violence are occuring frequently,” said vicepresident, IMA (Lucknow) Dr Rama Srivastava.

The associations have come out in support of the IMA’s call. Secretary of Lucknow Nursing Home Owners’ Association Dr Anoop Agrawal said they would keep the OPDs closed.

There are about 7,000 private doctors working at clinics/hospitals in Lucknow and on an average each one of them gets 70 patients every day.

The bandh is likely to increase the load on government hospitals.

THE PROTEST HAS BEEN CALLED ON ISSUES LIKE SECURITY AND WORKING CONDITIONS.