Doctors Of Gandhi Hospital Call Off Strike And Join Duty

On the 12th of June, junior doctors protesting outside the Telangana Government run Gandhi Hospital called off their strike.

The decision to call off the ongoing strike since the 10th of June, was taken after the Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajender assured to fulfill their demands.

On the 10th of June, doctors of Gandhi hospital staged a protest against the hospital administration, demanding security of the doctors, who are on duty.

On the night of 9th of June. two man attacked doctors at the hospital.   Though the two accused were arrested immediately, the incident created rage amongst the doctors and they staged the protest.

However, the strike was called off, after the State  Health Minister assured fulfilment of their demands within the next 15 days.

Khizer Ahmed, the General Secretary of the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) said, “Keeping public health in consideration especially in view of the COVID-19 pandemic we are fighting and trusting the Health Minister’s reassuring words,  (the) TJUDA has decided to conditionally call off the strike and resume duties with immediate effect.”

Mr. Ahmed further said, “As discussed with the Health Minister, a committee will be formed by TJUDA that would follow up with the Minister regularly (through video conferencing) for the next 15 days on updates of the demands. We are hopeful that the Health Minister shall personally take care of these demands so that we do not have to boycott duties again in a more intensive manner after 15 days.”

On the other hand, Mr. Rajender said, “Gandhi Hospital, being a super speciality hospital, is capable of handling for free a variety of acute and chronic diseases.  Poor patients can be best benefited by resuming non COVID services here. This will be done after consulting the cabinet. Management of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and symptomatic Covid positive cases will be decentralised and adequate provisions will be made for the treatment of these cases in their respective district hospitals and all private medical colleges for better patient care delivery.”

He further added, “Recruitment of doctors, nurses, patient care providers and sanitation workers to fill the shortage will be conducted and provision will also be made for a 30 per cent extra force in reserve. Recruitment of SPF as per Government Order of December 2019 is under progress and will be provided soon in all government medical colleges/ hospitals.”

Meanwhile, Telangana reported a total of 4,320 cases of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 till the 12th of June.

Stay tuned for further updates.