Family members of patients at Niloufer Hospital had to run from one block to another for medical assistance on Friday as junior doctors refused to work from early morning. Nearly 300 doctors gathered in front of the hospital demanding security and action against people who have attacked doctors in the past.

Doctors raised slogans like “We want security, stop violence against doctors” and “We are ready to serve, so give us what we deserve”.

Babu Rao, a patient’s grandfather, said that they had come all the way from Jadcherla in Mahbubnagar district. His nine-day-old granddaughter was suffering from jaundice. He said that they had to run form block to block as there was no assistance. However, seeing their condition, the doctors admitted the patient and counseled them, saying that they treated every patient with utmost care and attacking them was not correct.

Mohammad Mukhtar Ali, waiting for his relatives at the out-patient block gate, said that his eight-year-old daughter was discharged a week ago but fell ill again. She was coughing frequently since 1 pm and he was not sure whether she was getting treatment or not.

Seeing the condition of the patients, doctors on strike and hospital authorities held a meeting and resumed emergency services. The doctors were seen counseling the patients and their relatives, before admitting them, saying that they were not gods and assaulting them was not the way to get better medical facilities.

Junior doctors threatened to go on strike again on Saturday if a consolidated action plan and assurance was not provided to them.