Date:18/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/18/stories/2007121850070100.htm

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Government doctors call off strike

State Cabinet clears ordinance on safety of medical fraternity

HYDERABAD: Just as things appeared to slip out of control as the doctors’ strike spread to the districts, the Government acted swiftly and managed to convince one of the key players, the A.P. Government Doctors’ Association (APGDA), to call off the strike, after the State Cabinet cleared an ordinance on safety of the medical fraternity, on Monday.

However, the junior doctors remained unyielding on their demand for the arrest of two MLAs even as the High Court took a serious view of the agitation and expressed its “anguish and displeasure” at the attitude of the agitating doctors.

It also asked the Government to furnish details of alternative arrangements being contemplated to tackle the emerging medical crisis.

Hectic parleys

It was a day of hectic parleys, following the Cabinet clearance of the ordinance making an assault on medical staff in government as well as private hospitals, a cognisable and non-bailable offence with a three-year jail term. In case of property damages, the cost will be recovered from the assailants.

Soon after the Cabinet meeting, APGDA representatives met Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and announced their decision to pull out of the strike. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which threatened to call a ‘Medical Bandh’ already reversed its stand on Sunday evening, much to the chagrin of Government and junior doctors.

Services paralysed

Till late on Monday evening, the junior doctors were holding discussions and had not come out with any decision on the strike issue. Meanwhile, medical services were paralysed in government hospitals across the State.

The APGDA said it left the issue of legislators’ arrest to the Chief Minister and the junior doctors. It was of the view that serious issues like manpower shortage and hospital infrastructure should be tackled first to prevent attacks on doctors.

It also expressed displeasure at the Government spending over Rs 1,000 crore on ‘Arogyasri’ scheme for the treatment of the poor in private hospitals. “We are capable of doing complex surgeries, if we are supported. But they don’t!”.