RAIPUR, Chhattisgarh: Doctors on ground of lack of human resources are opposing the new outpatient department(OPD) timing of 9.00 am to 5 pm. Earlier, it was from 8.00 am to 2.30 pm.  Chhattisgarh Medical Teachers’ Association held a meeting at Pt Jawaharlal Memorial Medical College to discuss the new timings of OPD and its consequences.  Dr. Arvind Neral, President of the Chhattisgarh Medical Teachers' Association, said, “We oppose the extension of OPD timings. Before implementing the new system, the shortage of human resources should be eliminated. Representatives of all the medical colleges had participated in the meeting. We will raise the real issues before the government. The government can also consider the arrangement of OPD in two shifts.” He said as teachers they have to handle the OPD along with taking classes for students in morning and evening hours. Apart from administrative work, have to indulge in conducting examinations. Even the National Medical Council (NMC) inspection in the Government Medical Colleges, has asked to fulfill the shortage of 60 percent doctors and nursing staff. It is already affecting the health services delivery. The government should concentrate on eliminating this major hurdle first, he added.  Neral said with increase in OPD timings of doctors, the time of the nursing and paramedical staff will subsequently be raised. They will have to work more than the mandatory eight hours.  Due to some doctors, who do not reach the OPD on time, such a decision was taken. The Association had appealed to all the doctors to be on time during OPD, Neral said. During the review meeting of the Medical Education Department, chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister T S Singh Deo, the decision to implement the new system of OPD was taken. The OPD timings in all the medical college hospitals of the state were changed from 9 am to 5 pm. Registration for treatment was from 8 am to 2 pm. It was effective with immediate effect.