Shimla, Dec. 27 -- Patients faced severe hardship at Himachal Pradesh's largest government hospital, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, after doctors began a strike on Saturday, disrupting OPD and other medical services.

Although most patients were discharged on Friday after resident doctors went on mass leave, OPD services were badly affected on Saturday. Indoor patients who continued to require treatment also faced difficulties, as a majority of doctors remained on strike.

Patients and their attendants visiting the hospital reported major inconvenience due to the acute shortage of doctors in the OPD.

Bhawani Dutt, a patient who travelled from Karsog in the Mandi district, said patients were suffering due to the strike.

"M...