Indefinite strike by medicos hit services in Gwalior

The strike called by junior doctors of a premier hospital in Gwalior entered its second day today, disrupting medical services in the city.

Gwalior (MP), Sept 14 : The strike called by junior doctors of a premier hospital in Gwalior entered its second day today, disrupting medical services in the city.

The medical students of Government -run Jayarogya Hospital are demanding recognition of post-graduate courses and registration of higher medical degree holders by the Medical Council of India, which is the apex watchdog for medical practitioners in the country.

They have gone an indefinite strike from Thursday.

But the indefinite strike has badly affected medical services, as it is the only major hospital in a radius of about 150 kilometres. Many patients were shifted to private hospitals by their distraught relatives.

"They are saying there is strike, won't come to attend patients. What will the patients do in strike, what is their fault, why should they suffer? There are all kinds of patients' rich or poor, where will they go? My patient who is pregnant is undergoing severe labour pain. Where to take her?" asked Shagun Bharadwaj, relative of a patient.

The hospital caters to Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring regions of northwestern Rajasthan and northern Uttar Pradesh.

The hospital administration, however, claimed they were able to maintain essential services, despite the strike.

"Assistant professors and demonstrators are regularly taking care of patients. Definitely we are admitting serious patients. Routine patients are treated in OPD (out patient departments) and only the one's who are serious are being admitted," said Dr P. C. Mahajan, Joint Coordinator of Jayarogya Hospital.

Junior doctors say they were forced to go on strike on certain key demands.

"Why are always we expected to resume our work for the sake of patients and human rights, after all it is the question of our future? Is there no responsibility of college administration and state government? We are concerned of our future, and every one thinks of their future," said Dr Amit, Secretary of Junior Doctor's Organization.

The medicos also blocked all roads in the neighbourhood, and held protest march on two-wheelers, before submitting a charter of demands to the top state officials.

ANI