Jaipur: As the stalemate between agitating
doctor and Rajasthan government continued for the fifth
consecutive day, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today appealed to
the medicos to resume duty "in the interest of the society".
Describing the doctors` strike as "unfortunate", Gehlot
said, "The government is making all efforts to keep the
situation under control and alternate arrangements have been
made in view of the unfortunate strike."
The medical crisis in the state deepened on Friday after
5,000 medicos , who are on strike demanding pay hike and
time-bound promotions, submitted their resignations.
All government doctors working in hospitals, dispensaries,
primary health centres and resident doctors of all the six
medical colleges in the state have been on strike since
December 21.
Taking up cudgels for the agitating doctors, the Indian
Medical Association today criticised Rajasthan government`s
stand over the strike and demanded revocation of Rajasthan
Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) for medical
services.
"The government is following a repressive policy which is
highly condemnable and it should lift RESMA so that doctors
can openly come for talks with the government," Secretary of
IMA Rajasthan S S Agrawal said.
Demanding that doctors arrested under RESMA be freed
immediately, Agrawal asked the government to invite the
agitators for dialogue to "understand their grievances".
State health minister Duru Miyan said the government was
already in talks with the agitating doctors and expressed hope
that a consensus would be arrived at soon.
The government has so far suspended 40 doctors and
services of around a dozen government medicos are likely to be
terminated soon, official sources said.
To minimise the impact, the government has engaged the
services of private hospitals in the state, with many
facilities opening their doors for patients admitted to
government hospitals.
According to an official, a total of 1,720 beds in private
hospitals are now available for government patients.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Vasundhara Raje blamed the
Gehlot government for the crisis.
"Dozens of people have died due to doctors` strike and the
government is solely responsible for it," she said at a public
function in Jhunjhunu.
PTI
