Doctors and faculty members of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences continued to protest against the dismissal of Director Dr P Venugopal, and all services in the premier hospital, including emergency, were hit.

The 17-member apex body of the hospital, headed by Union Health Minister A Ramadoss, recommended Dr Venugopal's removal for violating the hospital's code of conduct.

Doctors of Maulana Azad Medical College and the Lok Nayak Jayprakash Hospital also announced a 24-hour strike beginning 9:30 am.

However, emergency and casualty services at these two hospitals are functioning while OPD services remained shut.

While no new patients were being admitted at the AIIMS, several people faced hardship in getting timely treatment.

A number of patients were being referred to the neighbouring Safdarjang Hospital.

A 35-year-old heart patient died at the AIIMS on Wednesday after doctors refused to take him in. The patient died on way to Safdarjung Hospital.