Berhampur: With private hospitals, nursing homes as also pathology and diagnosis centres here remaining closed Friday as part of a state-wide stir, patients experienced its impact the most at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital and the City Hospital by way of larger turnouts.
The number of patient arrivals at the two premier hospitals went up manifold during the day due to the closures elsewhere. Thousands of patients and their attendants waited in queues to get tickets at the MKCG. Many were seen forming lines since 5am. The hospital premises turned tense due to the larger presence of patients.
Tension built up for some time as the hospital did not take any steps to face the situation arising from the closure of other health care centres Friday.
Demanding an amendment to the Odisha Clinical Establishment Act, 1990, the All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) had May 21 announced their 24-hour stir from 6am May 25.