As Bengal healthcare services reel under the ongoing protests by doctors across the state, several patients and their families have been left in the lurch. Several patients who need critical care and services were left to fend for themselves.

A picture shared by a photographer associated with Bengali news daily Anandabazar Patrika illustrates the ordeal being faced by patients in Bengal for the past four days.

A father is seen crying while holding his newborn, who died without getting timely treatment.

Photographer Damayanti Datta has posted the photo saying the newborn died as doctors refused to treat.

Doctors in Bengal have launched a massive protest that has now spread across the entire country with services being disrupted in many cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and others.

Emergency services were available at one or two hospitals, including Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday.

Patients at AIIMS Delhi were turned away and asked to go to some other hospital as doctors refused to work at the outdoor department.

As part of contingency measures, OPD services will function in a restricted manner till normalcy is restored, according to a memo put out by the AIIMS medical superintendent on Thursday.

In Maharashtra 4,500 doctors joined the protests, bringing the state healthcare services to a virtual standstill on Friday.

In the wake of the strike in West Bengal, the AIIMS has instituted contingency measures to take care of the admitted patients, including those in the ICUs and wards.