• Vijay Kumar Singh (42), a resident of Garabasa in Jugsalai who suffers from a frozen shoulder and paralysis of the left hand, had come to Khasmahal Sadar Hospital OPD accompanied by his father. But, it was closed because of a doctors' strike and he had to wait for around two hours at the emergency for treatment

• Rukmini Panda (30), a resident of Ramnagar, Bagbera, had come for treatment at the sadar hospital OPD with her three-year-old son Rahul who has an abscess at the back of his head. But, she had to return as she couldn't wait for hours at the emergency

Vijay and Rukmini were among the many patients who suffered on Wednesday, the first day of the three-day statewide agitation by doctors under the aegis of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Jharkhand State Health Services Association in support of their demand for immediate implementation of the Medical Protection Act and fixing of duty hours of doctors in Jharkhand.

The OPDs at 18 state-run primary health centres, nine community health centres, the subdivisional hospital in Ghatshila and the sadar hospital in Khasmahal did not function as doctors stayed away. However, OPDs at MGM Medical College and Hospital in Sakchi and corporate and private hospitals functioned normally.

"OPDs were completely paralysed as doctors did not attend government institutions. We had kept medical colleges out of the purview of the strike on Wednesday and Thursday. However, on Friday (September 30), doctors at MGM hospital will also not attend OPDs," said IMA city unit secretary Mrityunjay Kumar.

The IMA functionary also threatened to mass resignations if the government did not pay heed to their demands this time like earlier.

"Our patience is running out. If the government fails to implement the Medical Protection Act and fix duty hours then we will tender mass resignations after October 15. We will hand over the letters to chief minister Raghubar Das," Kumar added.

Government doctors are demanding fixed duty hours as most claim they were being forced to work for more than 12 hours at a stretch.

East Singhbhum civil surgeon S.K. Jha said he had requested striking doctors to at least man emergency units to take care of critical patients.

"We will ensure that nobody returns from sadar hospital without treatment. Efforts will also be made so that patients do not have to wait for long periods of time due to the rush at the emergency," he said.