Dear Patna, Because the government has not addressed their concerns about pay, safety, and staff shortages, among other problems, doctors at Bihar’s government hospitals went on strike for three days starting Thursday, which resulted in the shutdown of OPD services across the state.

Patients, especially those from rural regions who rely on government healthcare institutions, are anticipated to experience severe anguish as a result of the strike.

The Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) announced the walkout in protest of problems such personnel shortages, administrative harassment, and biometric attendance.

However, emergency and trauma services will continue to run normally, and the strike is restricted to OPD shutdown.

The BHSA spokesman, Dr. Vinay Kumar, claims that the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has not responded to numerous requests about important problems such as doctor safety, pay challenges, posting in home areas, and a lack of basic amenities.

“Doctors have been forced to skip work since the government has not responded to our requests. We’ve made the decision to go on strike starting on Thursday for three days,” Dr. Kumar said.

To add to their dissatisfaction, doctors also brought up an instance in Sheohar where they claimed to have been mistreated during a meeting with a District Magistrate.

All medical schools, Sadar hospitals, referral hospitals, Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in all 38 districts of Bihar have suspended OPD services as a result of the walkout.

After the strike is over, patients who have already scheduled procedures or treatments will either need to reschedule or have their schedules changed.

“Poor patients, especially those from rural areas, will be the most affected as they cannot afford private healthcare,” said an administrator at the facility.

The BHSA has issued a warning that the strike may intensify further if the administration is unable to come up with a firm solution by March 29.

“If our demands are not met, we will intensify the strike in the state,” said Dr. Kumar.

The protracted protest has sparked worries about the economically disadvantaged groups’ access to necessary medical treatments, since government hospitals serve as a lifeline for healthcare in rural areas.