Doctors Protest After Junior Resident Taken Into Custody; Hospital Services Disrupted at Prayagraj Medical College
Tensions Escalate at Medical College Following Police Action Against Junior Doctor
A prolonged period of normalcy at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital was abruptly disrupted on Monday after police reportedly detained a junior resident doctor from his residence in Rampur, Bareilly.
The development triggered strong resentment among medical professionals, leading to a strike that affected healthcare services across multiple departments.
According to hospital sources, the incident sparked anger among resident doctors, who immediately suspended work in protest.
As a result, services in several departments, including super-speciality units, were severely affected throughout the day.
OPD Services Hit, Patient Registration Suspended
The strike had a direct impact on patient care. Registration counters were shut down, and outpatient department (OPD) services came to a standstill.
Hundreds of patients who had arrived for treatment were left waiting as routine medical consultations were suspended.
Hospital corridors witnessed growing crowds as patients and their attendants struggled to obtain information regarding treatment schedules. Many visitors were forced to return without receiving medical attention.
Chaos Deepens After 11 AM
The situation worsened after 11 a.m., when doctors intensified their protest. Medical services became increasingly disorganised, and concerns among patients and their families grew.
The disruption extended beyond regular departments and also affected super-speciality OPDs, causing inconvenience to people who had travelled from distant districts seeking specialised treatment.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion inside the hospital premises as patients searched for alternatives while healthcare workers attempted to manage the mounting pressure.
Senior Doctors Leave OPDs as Talks Fail
Efforts were made to resolve the standoff through discussions between hospital authorities and representatives of the doctors. However, negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough.
Following the unsuccessful talks, several senior doctors reportedly left their OPD chambers.
This further reduced the availability of medical services and added to the difficulties faced by patients waiting for consultations.
Resident Doctors Demand Security and Due Process
Leaders of the resident doctors’ association expressed concern over the manner in which the junior doctor was taken into custody.
They argued that medical professionals should be provided adequate security and that proper procedures should be followed before any action is taken against healthcare workers.
According to the association, the incident created an atmosphere of fear among doctors. Protesters insisted that unless assurances regarding their safety were provided, they would continue their agitation.
Background of the Dispute
The confrontation between doctors and lawyers traces back to an incident on May 20, when advocate Jagriti Shukla, who had been injured in a road accident, was brought to SRN Hospital for treatment.
Allegations surrounding the handling of her medical care led to tensions between members of the legal and medical communities.
Since then, the dispute has continued to generate controversy, culminating in the latest protest after the detention of the junior resident doctor.
Hospital Administration Attempts to Restore Services
As the strike continued, hospital authorities held multiple rounds of discussions with protesting doctors in an effort to restore normal operations.
Administrative officials appealed for calm and urged medical staff to resume work in the interest of patients.
By late evening, some departments began returning to normal functioning, although the situation remained sensitive and under close monitoring.
Patients Bear the Brunt of the Standoff
The biggest impact of the dispute was felt by patients, many of whom travelled long distances hoping to receive treatment.
Elderly patients, children, and those requiring specialist consultations faced significant hardship as services remained disrupted for several hours.
With both doctors and authorities seeking a resolution, patients and their families expressed hope that healthcare services would soon return to normal and that future disputes would not affect critical medical care.
