A day after 15,000 resident doctors from the Delhi government hospitals announced a complete shutdown of OPDs November 1 onwards, after waiting for a response from the Delhi government to their letter against extending OPD hours, their proposed demands were agreed upon in a meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat, and they have now called off the decision to go on strike.
The meeting between Principal Health Secretary, Health Secretary, Additional Secretary Health, Dr. Punita Mahajan, MS, Ambedkar Hospital, and Dr J C Passey, MD, Lok Nayak Hospital, in the presence of the representatives of the FORDA, decided that the OPD registration will be reduced by one hour i.e. 7:30 am to 12 noon. Doctors will get a 45 minutes lunch break any time after 12:30. Another 10-15 minutes may be taken by them later.
In December first week, the OPD timings will be reviewed and the OPD will start functioning at 9 am. Special clinic registration will be from 1 to 2 pm and those coming at 8 am can leave the hospital at 3 pm.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had on October 9 directed the medical superintendents of all city hospitals to increase the consultation time from four hours to six hours. He had said,"This is to ensure that there is sufficient time for the patients to be attended to. Towards achieving the above, the registration counters shall open at 7:30 am and close at 1 pm."
This decision had upset the resident doctors and they had been boycotting the six hours until they announced to go on an indefinite strike.
