New Delhi: Emergency and OPD services at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital here remained crippled for the second day today following an indefinite strike called by more than 300 resident doctors and interns.

The strike has been called to protest against the alleged assault of a medico by relatives of a patient, who died on Tuesday night.

The resident doctors claim the relatives of the deceased patient assaulted their colleague alleging negligence during treatment.

The striking doctors are demanding additional security in view of the incident. "This is not happening for the first time. It has become a practise here. It is the story with each and every hospital in the city. Its time the administration does something about the safety of the doctors," LNJP Resident Doctors Association president Kuldeep Kumar said.

Their other demands included lodging an FIR against the family and deployment of a PCR van in the hospital. "They (family of the deceased) alleged the patient died due to medical negligence, which is not true. We need security for ourselves," he added.

Meanwhile, the relatives of the deceased, Inder Raj (65), raised slogans against the hospital administration. "They have not given the body to us yet," complained one of the relatives of the deceased.

Patients referred to the hospital had a harrowing time. "We were referred to this hospital. They have blocked the main gate. Forget about reaching the emergency. We do not know the city well. At least the emergency should be open," said the relative of a patient waiting at the hospital gates.

Health Secretary, Delhi government, Vivek Rae has called on the hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Swaraj Batra to address the problem.

Source : PTI