NEW DELHI: At least 50 doctors were among 100 staffers who are understood to have quit the Escorts Hospital to join the rival Apollo Group in a sign of solidarity with noted cardiologist Naresh Trehan.

The cardiologist has resigned from Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre (EHIRC) and decision to join Apollo Group and said a "significant" number of doctors from Escorts will be moving with him.

About 100 staffers, including 50 doctors, have resigned from Escorts which has strength of 217 doctors, sources close to Trehan said. Trehan, who ended his 20-year-long association with Escorts Hospital, which was his brainchild, said "We are working out the details," when asked what position he has been offered.

Sources said more doctors, technicians, nurses and physiotherapist will be resigning from Escorts to join Trehan. Fortis, however, confirmed seven resignations. Trehan was sacked as Executive Director of the hospital by Ranbaxy-promoted Fortis Healthcare on May 18.

The week-long crisis that saw free exchange of charges and counter-charges between Shivender Mohan Singh, the Managing Director of Fortis Healthcare which has majority stake in Escorts, and Trehan ended on May 26 when both agreed for an out of court settlement.

They said in a statement that the allegations were borne out of misunderstanding and are withdrawn.-PTI