Emergency services remained crippled at government-run hospitals for the second consecutive day on Sunday following the strike of nearly 3,000 junior doctors demanding increase in their stipend.
At least 13 patients have died in the emergency wards of 10 major teaching hospitals across the State since Friday night allegedly due to lack of medical aid due to junior doctors’ strike. However, the State Government has disputed the death reports and termed them as ‘routine’ deaths.
However, the government has admitted that the strike has been causing severe inconvenience to the poor patients. It may be mentioned that the talks between the Cabinet Sub-Committee and Junior Doctors Association held on Saturday failed despite the government accepting 11 out of 13 demands. While the junior doctors were insisting on 40 per cent hike in stipend, the government has agreed to increase the stipend by 15 per cent. The junior doctors also want the government to reduce the compulsory service in rural areas from years to one year.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday held a meeting with the cabinet sub-committee to review the situation. The Chief Minister has been informed that alternate arrangements have been made in view of the strike and senior doctors, professors and retired employees have been pressed into service. Ministers – Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, Dr J Geetha Reddy, Kondru Murali Mohan and K Sailajanath attended the meeting.
However, no decision could be taken with regard to two major demands of striking junior doctors.
Later, Health Minister Kondru Murali Mohan criticised the junior doctors for continuing the strike despite the acceptance of 11 demands. He said he had never seen students behaving in such a manner. He said alternate arrangements were being made to minimise the inconvenience to patients. He warned that the government would take severe action against the junior doctors if they do not withdraw the strike immediately. (INN)