Report by a correspondent of the Mazdoor Ekta Committee
Hundreds of doctors—including PG residents, senior residents, junior residents, and interns—working at the ESIC Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, went on a 36-hour strike. The strike began on the morning of 21 September and continued until the afternoon of 22 September, when the management agreed to meet the doctors’ demands.
The doctors were compelled to strike after a PG resident in General Surgery suddenly fell ill during a surgery in the operating theatre on 19 September, following a continuous 40-hour shift. At that time, basic facilities for emergency treatment, an ambulance, and specialist doctors were unavailable at the hospital. Ultimately, the critically ill doctor had to be admitted to the private Amrita Hospital in Faridabad for treatment.
The doctors stated that they are required to work continuously for 35 to 40 hours. On the day of the incident, the hospital management failed to provide an ambulance, nursing staff, and necessary medical facilities (such as a cervical hard collar and MRI) in a timely manner.
Expressing resentment over the administration’s attitude, the doctors stated that they face ill-treatment at the workplace and that working conditions are abysmal. They expect dignified and respectful treatment from the administration. Due to a severe shortage of resources, patients do not receive proper treatment. A letter addressing this issue had been submitted to the administration as early as 6 January this year, yet no response has been received to date.
Key demands of the striking doctors:
- All resident doctors at the hospital should be issued full medical benefit cards.
- An impartial inquiry into this entire incident of negligence must be conducted, and a clear, written protocol for the emergency treatment of doctors should be implemented.
- Duty hours should be fixed in accordance with the standards set by the National Medical Commission.
- Essential treatment resources—including specialists, diagnostic facilities, healthcare staff, and adequate beds—must be made available at the hospital.
Approximately 4,500 patients visit this ESI hospital and medical college in Faridabad daily. Additionally, patients from surrounding areas—including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Hodal, Panipat, Sonipat, and Rewari—are referred here for treatment.
This incident highlights that if the government and management show no concern even for the doctors, one can only imagine the plight of patients in a hospital funded by workers’ contributions. ESIC faces no shortage of funds, yet patients, healthcare staff, and doctors alike are forced to endure inhuman conditions. When they fall ill, they often cannot even access basic medical treatment. It is evident that the quality and standard of healthcare services in ESIC hospitals are steadily declining for both the staff and the patients.