Thaindian News

Bhopal, July 25 (IANS) Health services in five hospitals across Madhya Pradesh deteriorated further Saturday as talks between the state government and striking junior doctors failed to yield any result. The strike entered its sixth day Saturday.
“We had talks with the state government representatives including Principal Secretary (Health) Vijaya Srivastava and Director Medical Education V.K. Saini but to no avail,” Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (MPJDA) state general secretary Anil Shejwar told IANS.

Though the state government has expelled over 1,100 junior doctors after invoking the Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) July 21, protesters have continued the stir demanding better facilities and a Rs.12,000 hike in stipend, among other things.

“We are going to continue our strike to the logical end,” MPJDA chief coordinator Yogesh Puar said.

“The strike was in public interest as its one objective was to improve health services according to the MCI’s standards,” Puar said.

Medical services have been badly affected due to the strike and patients have started moving out to hospitals in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Rewa districts, a junior doctor, who wished not to be named, claimed.

“We are trying to solve the problem. Also, state government is making all out efforts to make sure that the patients in all the five hospitals are attended to,” Director Medical Education V.K. Saini said.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Anup Mishra has reiterated that the demands of the junior doctors would be considered only after they end their stir.