Imphal, February 09 2010: With OPD and other emergency services of RIMS remaining shut following the indefinite ceasework strike by its employees, the number of patients coming to the lone State run JN Hospital at Porompat has increased manifold.

According to information received from JN Hospital, since the closure of OPD and other emergency services in RIMS from February 6, number of patients coming to JN Hospital has increased by 50 percent.

As the inflow of patients is so many that on February 7 and 8, patients who could not get bed have to lie on the floor at the entrance of casualty ward, nearby verandah and corridors.

Apart from increase in the intake of patients in the casualty ward, there is also said to be a phenomenal onrush of those coming to get the services of different OPDs in the hospital.

Though the onrush of patients is informed to have come down today, this reporter still came across quite a number of them occupying the floor of the hospital corridors.

Interacting with The Sangai Express, some of the patients and their parties at JN Hospital observed that shutting down emergency services of RIMS by doctors who are in the noble profession of looking after the medical needs of the people over salary demand is unfortunate and smacks of narrow-mindedness.

This shows that they are irresponsible and they consider money as more important that their services to the people, the patients and their parties said, while appealing to the agitating doctors to revoke suspension of emergency services which are even exempted from the purview of any bandh, blockade or during wars.

It may be recalled here that four different employees' associations of RIMS launched cease work strike since February 6 in pursuance of demand for regular payment of their monthly salary and charging the Director RIMS of misusing power.

Meanwhile, a joint statement of the Teachers & Medical Officers' Association, RIMS; Association of Junior Doctors, RIMS; RIMS Nurses' Association and Non-Teaching Welfare Association of RIMS have announced relaxation of the ongoing cease work strike for some days with immediate effect from 9 am tomorrow in respect of assurance by the Director RIMS that the monthly salary would be released on the last working day of every month.

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