Prayagraj Healthcare Crisis Deepens as Junior Doctors’ Strike Enters Second Day, Thousands of Patients Affected
The ongoing strike by junior doctors at SRN Hospital in Prayagraj intensified on its second day, severely disrupting medical services and leaving thousands of patients without treatment.
What began as a protest over the alleged assault and disappearance of Junior Resident Dr Mohsin Ali soon escalated into a major healthcare crisis, with emergency services crippled and patients bearing the brunt of the standoff.
As tensions mounted, the Motilal Nehru Medical College and its affiliated SRN Hospital were transformed into a virtual security zone.
Heavy police deployment was witnessed across the campus, from the Trauma Centre to various hospital departments, while additional security personnel were stationed to maintain order amid growing unrest.
Junior doctors continued their agitation, expressing anger over the circumstances surrounding Dr Mohsin Ali. Protesters gathered outside the Trauma Centre, raising slogans against the hospital administration and demanding accountability.
The demonstration created an atmosphere of uncertainty and further disrupted the functioning of the institution.
Although police officials later stated that Dr Mohsin Ali had been questioned, they clarified that he had not been taken into custody.
Despite this assurance, the striking doctors refused to withdraw their protest, insisting that their concerns had not been adequately addressed.
The impact of the strike was most visible in patient care. Emergency medical services remained largely paralysed, forcing nearly 3,000 patients to return home without receiving treatment.
Even individuals requiring urgent medical attention reportedly struggled to access care. At the same time, several patients who had already been admitted were allegedly discharged prematurely due to the shortage of available medical staff.
Hospital authorities attempted to manage the crisis by making alternative arrangements. Principal Dr A.K. Verma remained present at the Emergency Medical Officer’s room and directed senior consultants from departments functioning in both the PMSSY building and the old hospital block to attend to patients.
Efforts were also made to ensure that follow-up patients received medical consultations despite the disruption.
However, these arrangements provided only temporary relief. According to reports, the consultants faced difficulties in continuing OPD services amid mounting pressure and protests by junior doctors.
As the agitation intensified, normal outpatient services could not be sustained for long, leaving many patients stranded and frustrated.
The strike also affected other major healthcare facilities in the city, including Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, Colvin Hospital, Tej Bahadur Sapru Hospital and Cantonment Hospital.
Patients and their families were seen moving from one hospital to another in search of treatment, only to encounter overcrowding and delays.
Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court continued to closely monitor developments linked to the death of advocate Jagrati Shukla, a case that has become central to the ongoing controversy.
During proceedings on separate petitions related to the matter, the court sought a detailed investigation report and directed authorities to place relevant facts before the bench within the stipulated timeframe.
Frustration among patients’ attendants also began to surface. Family members of admitted patients reportedly objected to what they described as forced discharges and inadequate medical attention.
Many openly criticised the protesting doctors and demanded that healthcare services be restored immediately.
Slogans calling for the protection of patients and accountability from medical staff echoed through hospital corridors as tempers flared.
The unrest appears far from over. The Junior Residents’ Association announced plans to continue and potentially expand its protest, with indications that doctors at other institutions, including Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, could join the agitation.
With both sides remaining firm in their positions, concerns are growing that the prolonged strike may further strain an already overburdened public healthcare system and leave vulnerable patients at even greater risk.
