Bengaluru: Doctors on strike, patients in the lurch

Bengaluru: Patients struggled at the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Science (KIMS) on Monday as doctors, medical staff and employees of Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha protested against the management.  Patients had to either wait for a long time at the hospital or go back because of a severe shortage of doctors and staff.

Lakshmi, a patient who came to KIMS for treatment, said, “I came in the morning and have been waiting for the last one-and-a-half hours. If there are no doctors, they should shut the hospital instead of making us wait for hours.”

Members of the Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha said, “The laboratory and Outpatient Department were shut from Monday and we will continue the protest till our demands are met.”  The doctors and medical staff want the management to take necessary action against the unscientific hiring policy. Vinod Kumar, president, Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha Employees' Association, alleged that money has played a role in hiring, and that was the reason the management is hesitating to take action against excess staff. 

“For instance, if the requirement for data entry is 25, they have appointed more than 30,” he said.

He also requested for a detailed inquiry into the hiring process.