Resident doctors' strike continues as talks fail; more likely to join protest today

The resident doctors' strike in Jodhpur entered its second day on Tuesday despite several rounds of talks between them and the administration.

The doctors have refused to join duties unless cases registered against them are withdrawn and challans are filed in the court against those arrested after Tuesday's violence in MDM Hospital's trauma centre.

Resident doctors of Kota, Udaipur, Bikaner and Ajmer also suspended from work  and went on strike, expressing solidarity with their colleagues in Jodhpur.

Doctors of Jaipur, however, have decided to wait until Wednesday afternoon, before taking any decision.

"If demands are not met, we will also go on strike from Wednesday afternoon," said a resident doctor from Jaipur.

"If the government wants us to work, then they will have to ensure safety of doctors in hospitals," said president of the Jodhpur Resident Doctors' Association, Praveen Joshi.

"We want the cases registered against us withdrawn and filing of challan against those arrested," he said adding, though they have been assured by the administration, they wanted it in writing.

Resident doctors of all three government hospitals suspended their work and went on strike after some relatives of a patient beat up and tore clothes of two resident doctors and a nursing staff on Monday afternoon at the MDM Hospital's trauma centre.

Spokesperson of SN Medical College, Afzal Hakim said the the college administration has assured the doctors that their demands will be met, which include providing police security in the hospital and regulating the number of visitors.

"But they are adamant on demands from the police and district administration," Hakim said.

"We have made additional arrangements and have roped in medical officers and senior doctors to ensure smooth functioning at hospitals," said CMOH H R Goyal.