OGH Residents Warn Of Strike Over Shortages
Osmania General Hospital residents have warned of a phased strike from October 12 over shortages of medicines, equipment and non-functional key services.
Residents of Osmania General Hospital have raised concerns over shortages of medicines and consumables, delays in investigations and procedures, and non-functioning of key services including the Cath Lab, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) Department and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), citing pending Aarogyasri funds.
They said they would proceed with a phased strike from October 12 if the issues were not resolved by October 11, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
In a representation to the director of medical education through the principal of Osmania Medical College, the Junior Doctors Association (Juda) said resource constraints were affecting patient care as well as postgraduate residency training. Essential consumables, medicines, treatment materials and equipment were not adequately available, while referrals and continuation of treatment were also being affected.
The association said the Cath Lab, CTVS Department and CRRT were not functional, limiting emergency and tertiary care for patients requiring cardiac, cardiothoracic, vascular and renal support. It also said consumables required for procedures in Urology, Neurosurgery and Surgical Gastroenterology, orthopaedic implants, scopes for Medical Gastroenterology and contrast material for CT and MRI were not available.
Juda president Dr Narahari Chandrakanth Reddy said the shortages were particularly affecting a tertiary care teaching hospital receiving patients with complex and critical conditions. He said inadequate resources could result in delays in diagnosis and treatment and place residents in a difficult position while managing patients.
The association also raised concerns over the impact on postgraduate training, stating that residents require adequate infrastructure, functional equipment, supervised procedures and regular academic activities to receive the required clinical and procedural exposure.
Juda has sought early clearance of pending Aarogyasri funds, an assessment of shortages of medicines, consumables, investigations and equipment, and restoration of basic resources. It has also sought restoration of the Cath Lab, CTVS and CRRT, and facilities for Urology and other operation theatres to function at full capacity.