The patients visiting Doon hospital here suffered because of two back-to-back holidays on Thursday and Friday during which the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the hospital functioned till 12 noon only. The Government holidays due to Mahavir Jayanti and Good Friday ensured that the biggest hospital of the State functioned for half day only on these days. On both these days a large number of patients were seen lining up at the registration counter after their closure. Surendra Kumar, a resident of Dl road, said that since he was suffering from fever he visited the hospital to get him checked up from physician but the registration counter was closed.
He said that he would now have to visit a private clinic which would cost dearly for a daily wage earner like him. On Thursday, irate patients and their relatives created ruckus outside the registration counter of Doon hospital when they realised that the time of the OPD is over by 12 noon. A relative of one of the patients said the State Government should make such arrangement so that back to back holidays do not affect functioning of Government hospitals. The incharge of registration counter of the hospital told The Pioneer that 1,175 registered themselves for the various OPDs of the hospital on Friday. He said that though the time of registration counter is only till 11.30 am on the days of public holidays the people who were standing in line at time of closure were given registration numbers.
The Principal Medical Superintend (PMS) of Doon hospital Dr RS Aswal said that the list of holidays is declared earlier and the OPDs are open for half days as per rule on these days. He said that people should visit the hospital in time on the holidays to avoid inconveniences.