An indefinite strike will commence on 24th June by Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA). On Tuesday, junior doctors met the Director of Medical Education (DME) providing him with an official notice of strike. The junior doctors want their allowances to be paid in time. “We had some proposals after our last notice was served but none fully satisfied us,” says T-JUDA.
“We have been demanding for a green channel (budget relaxation) for timely disbursement of stipends to junior doctors (house surgeons, postgraduates and senior residents). T-JUDA wants a Government Order (GO) stating that there shall be no financial strain on junior doctors as well as circular from the finance department which ensures any stipends are credited by 10th of every month” said Dr.G.Sai Harsha-TJUDA President.
The honorarium for Super Specialty Senior Residents is another issue. After completing their super-specialty, students should be appointed contract assistant positions starting from January 1st, 2024 with payments amounting to Rs 1.25 lakhs only; failure to implement this means compromising upon one-year service and thereby depriving them of monetary benefits.
There is also the matter of NEET UG prospectus where the junior doctor’s wants 15% reservation. They demanded fair admission practices to both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh students saying that AP students should not fill up these seats increased by 15% in Telangana medical colleges after June 2nd, 2014.
Security at Government Hospitals is another crucial issue. Incidents attacking doctors continue happening necessitating reinforcement of security outposts and strict law enforcement against those involved in such violence. The first category is composed of medical college hospitals in all other districts requiring existing outposts strengthening and provision for police personnel.
Postgraduates’ accommodation shortages due non commencement of new hostel construction are not according to National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. The doctors demanded allocation of budget for new hostels and the immediate laying of foundation stones for them.
There is a pressing need to take immediate measures to prevent overcrowding at Osmania General Hospital (OGH) by constructing a new building as patients’ care standards continue deteriorating. The doctors requested immediate construction of OGH on the new site opportunity and also provision of funds for that purpose.
As per the doctors, essential infrastructure has not grown in parallel with the growth experienced in government medical colleges over this period. Students from far away colleges experience transport problems going to field sites and from hostels which are on different campuses. The doctors asked for either an immediate allocation of budget or there should be an immediate procurement of buses.
They have also questioned the roads in Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal. “Multiple representations have been made for laying of roads in KMC. Post-election code it was assured by Health Minister C.Damodar Raja Narasimha that the roads would be laid but nothing so far. This is a big issue because many accidents keep happening due to poor road infrastructures here.” We therefore recommend an instant construction activity on these roadways,” they said.
Last time we protested, we were told that no Government Order (G.O.) can be issued because of Model Code of Conduct. We were advised that our strike should be postponed till the end of election code period. It has been nearly a month now since we last gave notice and still there is not any notable improvement. Inaction by the authorities has forced us to call off our agitation beginning on June 24th,” Dr Harsha added.
