Patients Left Waiting as Doctors’ Strike Disrupts Treatment at Prayagraj Hospital

Hundreds of Patients Suffer as Medical Services Come to a Standstill

The ongoing standoff between doctors and lawyers at Prayagraj’s Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital left hundreds of patients struggling for medical care on Monday.

Patients arriving from various districts spent hours waiting in hospital corridors, hoping to receive treatment, only to find outpatient services severely disrupted due to the doctors’ strike.

Many visitors described scenes of frustration and helplessness as doctors remained absent from consultation rooms.

Patients continued to endure pain and discomfort while searching for information about when medical services would resume.

Elderly and Seriously Ill Patients Among the Worst Affected

Seventy-seven-year-old Rajshankar Shukla from Kaushambi arrived at the hospital with his wife, Asha, seeking treatment.

After waiting for nearly two hours, he finally received an OPD slip and expected to meet a doctor.

However, by the time his turn approached, medical staff had reportedly left their departments.

With visible distress and exhaustion, Shukla said he could not understand why doctors were unwilling to attend to patients.

He expressed disappointment that people in need of urgent care were being forced to suffer because of an ongoing dispute.

Patients Travelled Long Distances but Returned Without Treatment

The disruption affected not only residents but also people who had travelled from far-flung districts in search of specialized medical care.

According to hospital sources, nearly 580 patients had registered for treatment before services were halted.

After around 11:15 a.m., the situation deteriorated further as doctors reportedly stopped attending to patients and left their workstations.

Junior and senior doctors withdrew from OPDs, leaving patients and their families confused about the next steps.

Many attendants were seen helping elderly relatives move through crowded hallways while others searched for alternative treatment options.

Families Forced to Leave Hospital Premises

As uncertainty increased, hospital authorities began asking patients and attendants to vacate waiting areas.

The crowd gradually started leaving the hospital, with many returning home without receiving medical attention.

Several patients voiced frustration over the lack of communication, saying they were never informed whether doctors would return or if appointments would be rescheduled.

Cancer Patient’s Treatment Interrupted

Premi Devi, a patient from Fatehpur undergoing treatment for cancer, was among those affected by the disruption.

Accompanied by her husband, she had travelled to the hospital for a scheduled consultation.

After waiting for hours, she was informed that services had been suspended.

Her husband expressed concern about delays in treatment, saying that seriously ill patients were being caught in the middle of a conflict that had nothing to do with them.

Critical Cases Also Impacted

The strike reportedly affected patients requiring specialized medical evaluations and follow-up consultations.

One patient awaiting surgery after sustaining injuries in a road accident was unable to complete the necessary medical procedures because doctors were unavailable.

Family members of several patients said they were left uncertain about future appointments and treatment schedules, increasing anxiety among those already coping with serious health conditions.

Hospital Corridors Filled With Frustration and Uncertainty

Throughout the day, waiting halls remained crowded with patients and attendants seeking answers.

Many complained that doctors had not considered the hardships faced by those who depend on government hospitals for affordable treatment.

Visitors described the atmosphere as one of confusion, disappointment, and growing concern, with many questioning why essential healthcare services had been allowed to reach such a critical point.

Human Cost of the Ongoing Dispute

While the disagreement between doctors and lawyers continues to dominate headlines, the greatest burden has fallen on ordinary patients.

Elderly individuals, cancer patients, accident victims, and people with chronic illnesses found themselves trapped in a situation beyond their control.

As authorities work toward resolving the conflict, patients and their families are hoping for a swift restoration of normal services so that medical care can once again take precedence over the ongoing confrontation.