On Wednesday, several resident doctors of Gujarat Cancer Society Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre had held a sit-in protest against numerous issues, which also included the non-payment of COVID-19 allowance, and inconsistent duties being allocated to them in the last six months. A written complaint was submitted to college authorities and the authorities said that the demands are being brought to the notice of the management.

The demands of the resident doctors were that they should be paid compensation according to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation standards for carrying out COVID duties or pardon their hefty fees (amounts to ~Rs 11,000/day) for the duty period.

The resident doctors have sought the total number of patients admitted be capped in accordance with the available infrastructure. A 2nd year resident doctor said that on Diwali, one more floor was opened up as COVID ward at GCS and now has 12 wards each having a capacity of 30 patients and only a few 20-odd ICU beds. This unequal number of beds is making it difficult to save patients in case anyone worsens due to shortage of ICU beds.

Dr Yogendra Modi, who is superintendent at GCS has confirmed that 350 COVID patients are admitted currently whereas the hospital has a capacity of only 18 ICU beds only. Mentioning about the protest, Dr Modi said that they have brought to the management’s attention this matter and action will be taken soon.

In the meantime, resident doctors, who had boycotted work around 9 am - 5 pm, said that they will continue the strike till the authorities guarantee them of some proactive action in writing. Up till now, 27 resident doctors of GCS have tested positive for coronavirus and for them compensation according to the AMC guidelines have been sought.

One resident doctor said that he received a lump sum of Rs 15,000 a few days back, for the first time since on duty which is apart from the monthly Rs 60,000 stipend they receive as resident doctor. He further said that they understand the demands of their profession and have no qualms of being on duty but this is inhumane, as the huge patient load, they are managing. Three resident doctors are required for two wards. This is coupled with the deficient infrastructure and as residents they have to complete course work and none of them is getting done.

Source: The Indian Express