Date:23/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122359750300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Stop appointment of retired doctors’

Staff Reporter

APGDA stages protest at Gandhi Hospital

In focus: Doctors protesting at Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad on Monday against the continuation of retired doctors.

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors Association (APGDA) on Monday demanded that government withdraw its plans of extending the contract of Dr. B. Balaraju, Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital.

Mr. Balaraju retired from service last year and was appointed Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital on contract basis.

Sporting black badges and raising slogans against Mr. Balaraju, doctors of Gandhi Hospital and APGDA members staged a demonstration on the hospital premises in the morning. Banners and placards were placed at the hospital entrance demanding the government to abolish contract appointments for retired doctors. APGDA has set Friday as deadline for appointment of a regular doctor as the Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital and threatened to intensify the agitation if the government failed to look into its demands.

Similar demonstrations would be staged at Osmania General Hospital, Niloufer Hospital and other government hospitals across the State from Tuesday, informed Mr. Srinivas.