``The instruments are sterilised by the Operation Theatre (OT) technicians who are not reporting for work. We are just using chemical disinfectant to clean the instruments. There is a difference between using a disinfectant and sterilisation. This disinfectant is similar to Dettol or spirit and is no substitute for sterilisation,'' said a surgeon at LNJP.

Another doctor said: ``The government has instructed us not to turn away any patient and we are abiding by the instructions. The government does not realise the risks involved, but we know and so we are advising those who can afford private treatment, to go to a private nursing home.

``For others however, we are doing our best. But it does make us wonder that is this what we joined the profession for? And the worst part is that the poor man who we are subjecting to all this does not even know that the treatment that he is thankful for today is exposing him to probably a thousand other bacterial infections,'' he added.

Sterilisation of instruments is a complicated process known as `auto-claving'. In this process, instruments are put in an instrument bag and are sterilised by generating steam under pressure. The combined effect of heat and pressure kills all virus, bacteria and bacterial spores. Compared to this, disinfecting with chemicals is a primitive method of sterilising instruments.

Says Dr Gurudas Gurnani, Medical Superintendent, Tirath Ram Hospital: ``It is better not to operate in such conditions because there is no alternative to auto-claving. It is only when the doctors do not have a choice that they use a disinfectant.''

``Running a hospital is teamwork and doctors alone cannot do anything. The use of disinfectants can leave the patient exposed to diseases like tuberculosis, infections like typhoid in the gastro-intestinal tract, staphylococcus -- that is pus in the stitches after surgery, to name just a few. Doctors are important, but they cannot function without technicians, assistants and sweepers when it comes to surgery.''

Dr Gurnani added that the strike would also increase the risk of patients contracting any other infection in the hospital because of unsanitary conditions. ``As a routine measure, we take culture from the high risk areas in the hospital and test the samples for any infection. If there is any problem then the room is fumigated and later mopped with a chemical. But all these measures cannot be taken when the staff is on strike. This increases the probability of a patient contracting some other infection in the hospital,'' he said.