Bhopal: Four days long strike of Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) ended on Friday. In a dully signed letter JUDA’s executive body informed ACS RS Julania that it is calling off its strike after High Court intervention. JUDA was on strike to press for its demands including hike in stipend.
ACS Julania also assured JUDA that rustication of junior doctors will be withdrawn when they will join duty. They are expected to join duty from Saturday. Previously, Directorate of Medical Education (DME) imposed Essential Services And Maintenance Act (ESMA) and issued notices on July 26 to the medical colleges concerned- instructing junior doctors to join duty otherwise action would be taken against including cancellation of their registrations.
Interesingly while the government continued with its assurance for consideration of demands after JUDA joins duty but JUDA was adamant for fulfillment of demands first. So far 24 junior doctors were terminated.However, paramedical staff had already written letter to DME for joining their duties. They joined the duty but did not resume their work to show their solidarity with JUDA.
For the last four days, medical services were crippled in all government hospitals attached to government medical colleges due to logjam between government and JUDA. Government has shifted doctors and paramedical staff of various private nursing colleges to manage the show. But it did not prove sufficient. There are 300 junior doctors in Hamidia Hospital and it was not possible for 30 residents doctors from other government hospitals to manage the show.
Similar was case with Sultania Hospital. During the strike many patients were discharged while others moved to private hospital for treatment.Patients visit Hamidia Hospital from all over the state come but they had to return without treatment during strike.
