Unfazed docs to continue strike

NAGPUR: Acting dean of IGGMC Dr A V Shrikhande said that she had informed Principal Secretary Medical Education Amitabh Chandra about her decision to sack the 140 resident doctors. However, Dr Samadhan Kshirsagar, acting general secretary, MARD, IGGMC, said that the IGGMC residents would continue the strike since they are not on strike alone. "Resident doctors across the state are on strike. How can only IGGMC doctors be targeted?" he said. Legal experts say that although the court’s decision applies to all striking residents, the contempt notice would first go to the party involved in the case. Other colleges too may be forced to take such steps later. The first PIL against striking doctors was filed in 2006 by the Citizens’ Forum with IGGMC as the party when patient care was severely affected by a strike. The government had at that time assured the court that it would take action against such strikes in future, including expulsion. But it had not kept its commitment, and residents went on strike on four more occasions, forcing the NGO to file the fresh PIL numbered 4947/2007 in 2007. This PIL had stated that the residents could not go on strike as per section 10.2.8 of the Residency Rules, and if they went on strike or remained absent from work without prior notice, the college dean could expel the residents. The court had accepted this view of the NGO. Meanwhile, resident doctors at the Government Medical College and Hospital abstained from the strike on Thursday, although they participated in a street play in the college premises. GMCH MARD General Secretary told TOI that they would join the strike from tomorrow. The IGMC doctors too staged a street play at Variety Square to seek public attention and support, and have planned a blood donation camp on Friday. But their plans may not materialise on Friday, as they stand terminated from their services with effect from 6 pm on Thursday.

18 Apr 2008, 0552 hrs IST , TNN
THE TIMES OF INDIA