Hyderabad, Dec 19: The statewide indefinite strike by junior doctors against the alleged "privatisation and commercialisation of medical education in the state" entered eighth day today, disrupting work in government hospitals across the state. The doctors, who are reluctant to withdraw the strike, said they would continue to stay away from work unless the government gave assurance to meet their demands. The striking medicos have adopted various methods to attract public attention by undertaking cleaning of roads, vehicles and also conducting streetplays. Meanwhile, K Siva Prasad Rao, minister for medical and health services told pressmen at Vijayawada that it was the government's policy to encourage professional education. The agitation by the doctors was not in their own interest or in the interest of medical fraternity", he said. However, he expressed hope to resolve the issue in his meeting with the striking doctors tomorrow at Hyderabad.
About 9000 junior doctors and post graduates were on strike in all ten government hospitals in the state.
Bureau Reoprt