Home / Health / Protests Disrupt Delhi Healthcare Access
Protests Disrupt Delhi Healthcare Access
10 Oct
Summary
- OPD footfall dropped significantly in Delhi hospitals Saturday.
- Major surgeries continued, but non-urgent procedures were postponed.
- Emergency services remained unaffected despite protest disruptions.
Several hospitals in Delhi experienced a notable decrease in outpatient department (OPD) attendance on Saturday due to ongoing protests and restricted movement. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital reported approximately a 30% reduction in OPD crowds, with both patients and staff facing delays in reaching the facility. Doctors confirmed that all planned major surgeries continued as scheduled, as patients for these procedures had been admitted in advance.
In contrast, Safdarjung Hospital noted that patient footfall remained largely normal. Private hospitals and clinics also observed a decline in OPD attendance. Some practitioners postponed non-urgent procedures, citing concerns about travel disruptions and the availability of support staff. For example, one clinic saw a 40-50% drop in OPD footfall, with many non-critical patients opting to stay home.
Despite the impact on OPDs, emergency services and critical surgeries were maintained without interruption. However, non-urgent procedures like routine septoplasties and tonsillectomies were scaled back. Hospitals are actively assessing the factors contributing to this trend and prioritizing uninterrupted access to quality healthcare for all patients.
