BJP MP is operated at AIIMS despite strike

All but one -- that of BJP MP Jagdambika Pal -- pre-scheduled surgeries at the AIIMS here were put off on Friday when thousands of nurses went on a day-long mass casual leave.

Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said 90 surgeries were postponed because 5,000 nurses refused to work, demanding a special pay hike.

But doctors kept their date with Pal, 66, the Lok Sabha member from Domariyaganj in Uttar Pradesh, who had to operated upon for his urological problem.

Akash Goel, Pal's personal staff member, told IANS that the BJP leader underwent the surgery in the afternoon and would be under observation till March 21 when he would discharged.

A surgeon also confirmed to IANS that Pal was operated at the AIIMS and that it was a pre-scheduled appointment.

"Jagdambikaji underwent the surgery. It was done as he was being treated under VIP category," the doctor said, declining to be named.

Asked why Pal's surgery was not postponed while all other cases got affected, the doctor said such medical cases usually do not get affected whatever the situation.

"The surgery procedure was laproscopic, a minor surgery, for which usually we do not need too much of nursing services," he said.

According to the doctor, Pal was shifted to the special ward in the evening.

Services at the AIIMS were affected by the nurses' protest to seek hike in pay and allowances.

--IANS

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