Thursday, July 6 2006 12:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Health services at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences remained crippled today (July 6, 2006) as doctors and faculty members continued their strike to protest the move to sack its Director P Venugopal.

All services, including the OPD and emergency, were closed since last evening as resident doctors and faculty of the AIIMS struck work after its 17-member apex body headed by Union Health Minister A Ramadoss recommended the removal of Venugopal for violating the hospital's code of conduct.

Doctors of Maulana Azad Medical College and the Lok NayakJayprakash Hospital also announced a 24-hour strike which began at 9:30 am in support of the AIIMS doctors. However, emergency and casulty services at the MAMC and LNJP arefunctioning while OPD services remained shut.

While no new patients were being admitted at the AIIMS,several people faced hardship in getting timely treatment. A number of patients were being referred to the neighbouring Safdarjang Hospital.

A 35-year-old heart patient died at the AIIMS yesterdayafter its doctors turned him down citing the strike and referred him to Safdarjung. The patient died on way to Safdarjung.

"I was asked by the doctors to come today for routine check up for the ongoing treatment for cancer. With thehospital shut, I do not know what to do," said Raj Kumari a resident of Faridabad in Haryana.

"No new patients are being admitted. We are treating the in patients," a doctor at the AIIMS said.