Hyderabad, November 17: Striking medicos in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday boycotted emergency services in protest against the alleged cane-charge on a group of junior doctors here even as their indefinite hunger strike demanding increased stipend entered fourth day.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA), which has called the stir, boycotted emergency medical services at government hospitals across the state after a group of striking doctors were allegedly caned and manhandled by police at the Gandhi Hospital here at around 2 AM today.
“Police attacked us and resorted to caning. Condemning the police action we boycotted emergency services between 3 am and 9 am today,” a representative of APJUDA Joint Action Committee said.
“In order to prevent any inconvenience to patients, we started attending to the emergency duties after the six-hour period, but will stay away from outpatient services,” he said.
The medicos yesterday rejected the government’s offer to enhance the stipend, saying they were not for a consolidated hike and demanded for implementation of basic pay structure, recommended by a committee set up by the government.
The condition of four medicos out of the seven doctors who are on fast-unto death at Gandhi Hospital since November 14, further deteriorated, even as the relay hunger strikes continued in different districts of the state.
Meanwhile, a PIL filed against the strike in the Andhra Pradesh High Court will come up before a division bench of the court for further arguments this afternoon. The petitioner complained that due to the strike the common man is suffering.
–Agencies