Cardiologist on hunger strike wants more beds for department—has not eaten in 12 days
A cardiologist in India is refusing to eat until his department is given more room to treat heart patients. He has said he will not end his hunger strike until he and his colleagues are given the space they need.
Professor Om Shankar is the head of cardiology at Sir Sunderlal Hospital, a teaching hospital at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, India. According to a new report in Hindustan Times, an English-language Indian newspaper, Shankar grew inpatient after waiting since 2023 for additional space. He believes his team should have at least 90 beds, but they currently only have 47.
Shankar started fasting in his office on May 11. He has indicated that he will continue until his demand are met, even if that means death.
“Until it is done, I will continue my hunger strike,” he said, as quoted in the report.
Professor S.N. Sankhwar, director of BHU’s Institute of Medical Sciences, has indicated that 61 beds were allocated to the hospital’s cardiology department. The strike continues, however.
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Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.