New Delhi|HL
Union Health Ministry has decided to run out-patient departments(OPD) for 12 hours a dayat at the Safdarjung hospital under its as a pilot project.
At present, OPDs in most government hospitals, including in Safdarjung, run for five hours a day, from 8 am to 1 pm with special afternoon clinics being operational for certain ailments like diabetes.
Under the new proposal, the OPDs will be operational from 8 am to 8 pm.
“The move is aimed at providing medical services to the patients round the clock,” a health ministry official said.
The project is started with Safdarjung hospital, once it is implemented successfully , the same will be replicated at other central government hospitals, an official said.
However the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at Safdarjung hospital said the move would create more pressure on them and they demanding recruitment of more doctors for effective implementation of the move.
We are not against the proposal but the administration has to increase manpower to offer 12-hour OPD service. There is a shortage of doctors and they already work under too much of stress. Extending the timings would only add further pressure on them. More doctors have to be recruited,” a resident doctor said.
Meanwhile, administration at Safdarjung hospital has directed all departments to give their feedback and submit strategies for working during the proposed extended OPD hours .
