The Hindu : Medicos strike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 19, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Medicos strike

Sir, — I am writing from 50 years experience in medical education. We have as medical students conducted strikes but that was against the British for a good cause.

The present day strike of the medical students, apart from their demand for stipends, seems to be purposeless. Suppose no more private medical colleges are allowed in Tamil Nadu, it is better for the neighbouring States. They drain away our money, our talent and our retired teachers and capitation fees to their advantages. Our students who go to study in the neighbouring States paying fees will return to Tamil Nadu and will set up practice. Then how are the Tamil Nadu medical students and doctors benefited? This simple logic seems to have escaped the organisers of the strike.

How do the government medical students and doctors claim that they only can give good service when the reverse is true?

Everybody is aware of the sufferings of the poor in government hospitals, the unhygienic, doctors attending hospitals only for an hour or two a day and going away for private practice.

If private medical colleges are well controlled, they will be assets. The medical students should strike for — better teaching by professors; large attendance in hospital by teachers; better minimal equipment in government colleges and hospital in wards and operation theatres; more teachers to teach basic subjects; better facilities for student studies; reduction of corruption among all level of staff in government institution; and better deal for the poor.

B. Ramamurthi,
Chennai

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