Patients who thronged the hospitals from both within and outside the capital were forced to wait outside the emergency wards or the hospitals as doctors were not available.

Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital in south Delhi blocked the Out Patients Department and shouted slogans against the NMC Bill which was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

"I came here all the way from Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) to get my daughter-in-law operated but the hospital refuses to even hear my case due to the strike," complained a despondent Rajini.

Like her, there are many who either squatted outside or waited on stretchers, praying that the strike would end soon.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday met doctors from the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), Resident Doctors Association (RDA) and United Residents and Doctors Association (URDA).

"I spoke to the doctors to remove their doubts regarding the Bill. Being a doctor, I am aware about their concerns. We care about the interests of the patients as well as the doctors. This Bill will bring about major changes in medical education," tweeted Vardhan.