The Medical Superintendent of Swami Dayanand Hospital said that if the protesting doctors do not resume their duties, they would be transmitted with effect from February 4 at 9 am. The circular stated that all the contractual doctors who participated in the strike on February 3, were marked absent and a report was sent to DHA for necessary disciplinary action. The doctors and nurses of the hospital, run by East Delhi Municipal Corporation, were on strike against non-payment of salaries for the last four months.

Dr Atul Jain, President of the Resident Doctors Association said that the association has taken cognizance of the circular and was waiting for the hospital administration’s decision.

Dr Jain said that they were asking for their right. Many families were dependent on their salaries. With no salary, their lives had come to a halt. He further added that the association had not received any assurance from the municipal corporation or hospital authorities. Sister Bindu of the same hospital said that their conditions were pathetic. Many health workers had family members who had medical issues and they were unable to pay the medical bills for medical facilities. With no salary, everything has been affected, but the authorities could not see their pain. 

EDMC Commissioner Vikas Anand requested the doctors to return to work and said that the corporation was under financial crunches. But still, they were considerate towards their employees and assured that they would be their salaries for February and March on time and their due arrears would be paid in May as per the availability of the funds.

Source: The New Indian Express