Docs Strike: Emergency Services Hit

Emergency services at government-run hospitals across Andhra Pradesh remained crippled on Saturday, following the strike of nearly 3,000 junior doctors, who are demanding an increase in their stipend.

The strike has led to the death of at least 8 patients in 3 hospitals. While 6 deaths were reported from the emergency ward of Gandhi Hospital, 1 patient each succumbed in Visakhapatnam and Kurnool since Friday night.

However, Medical and Health Minister Kondru Murali denied the reports, and claimed that all deaths were "regular in nature", and that no one had died due to the strike. He described the death reports as a creation of the media.

Talking to reporters at the state Secretariat on Saturday, the Health Minister said that alternate arrangements have been made in all 10 teaching hospitals to ensure that patients do not suffer due to the strike.

He said that the government would not increase the stipend, as is being demanded by the junior doctors. He reiterated that the government would not hold any negotiations with the junior doctors until they withdraw their strike.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet sub-committee on junior doctors will meet on Saturday evening to take stock of the situation.

It may be mentioned here that the junior doctors have been on strike for the last 3 weeks, demanding a 40% hike in stipend and a reduction in the mandatory requirement time of service in rural areas from 3 years to 1 year.

The state government agreed to an increase in the stipend by only 15%. Later, the government even refused to talk to the junior doctors until they withdraw their strike.

Accusing the government of being non-responsive to their demands, the junior doctors started boycotting emergency services on Friday evening. (INN)