Government hospitals’ doctors go on strike for better perks

Doctors in government hospitals in the city will be on strike on Thursday demanding increase in their salaries and allowances.

They also threatened to go on an indefinite strike from June 1 if their demands are not fulfilled.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), an umbrella organisation of 15,000 resident doctors across 41 government hospitals in the national capital, has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to revise the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, which they termed were “particularly discriminating to doctors”.

“We will be on strike tomorrow for a day. If our demands are not fulfilled even after that, we will go on indefinite strike from June 1,” said FORDA convenor Narayan Dabas.

Additional secretary in the health ministry Arun Panda held deliberations with medical superintendents of RML, Lady Hardinge and Safdarjung Hospitals and later said, “Our hospitals have put in place contingency plans so that all emergencies, trauma cases are taken care of.

“Senior doctors will handle the situation tomorrow. We are still trying to make them (FORDA) see reason. RML has cancelled all leaves. Senior doctors have been asked to come and attend patients. Hospitals think they can handle the situation. All trauma and emergency will be taken care of. The MS of RML, Lady Hardinge and Safdarjung have also talked with FORDA,” Dr Panda said.

Dr Panda also held a meeting with FORDA members on Tuesday.

Sources said that all issues raised by the FORDA have already been taken up by the health ministry with the high-level committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Cabinet secretary which is looking into the various anomalies.

They said that proactive action has already been taken by the ministry to take up the cause of medical professionals while it has also said that it would help arrange meetings of FORDA officials with nodal officer of the finance ministry, if need be.