More than a month of discussions with Health department officials and Gandhi Medical College authorities to resume non-COVID services at the hospital, the junior doctors of the hospital have decided to boycott duties.

On Wednesday, the strike had begun at 2 pm after JUDA representatives totally came to the conclusion that the situation was not changing. One of the major disagreements of the students is that lakhs of patients will be profited if the hospital starts again their non-COVID services. It would also be a blessing for PG students who have already lost their seven months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The doctors also observed that almost 600 resident doctors along with 600 nurses, 350 interns and 600 patient care staff are available and the resources are clearly inadequate because the total number of patients admitted is barely 300 in the hospital.

Dr Sashidhar Reddy said that they are hopeful for an early and positive response because the academic year has remaining four months only. If the non-COVID services are not resumed in this month, then the final year PG students would have to attend examinations without any practical training. Therefore, the government should notify TIMS as the new nodal centre for COVID management. It should refer only 200 critical cases to Gandhi hospital besides non-COVID services.

Source: The New Indian Express