Ahead of strike, resident doctors give ‘proper’ info to J P Nadda on demands

“We were asked about the reasons for our strike. The problems we have been raising about the recommendations for doctors had been lost in the bureaucratic system. It seemed the health minister was not properly informed earlier about our demands,” said Dr Pankaj Solanki, president of Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA).

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Solanki said representatives of FORDA apprised the health ministry of the doctors’ demands regarding the Non-Practising Allowance ( NPA).

“When the seventh central pay commission was constituted, we were hopeful that our demands will be looked into — which is increasing NPA to 40 per cent from current 25 per cent. Instead, it has been reduced to 20 per cent,” said Solanki.

FORDA representatives said they also apprised the minister of other demands such as uniform pay scales, night shift allowances that currently exist for nursing staff in government hospitals and forming a uniform central residency scheme for resident doctors.

Doctors also pointed out the vacancies in government doctors’ posts. “… Despite vacancies, doctors are not allowed to join. The health minister has assured us of a resolution to these issues. We also discussed the low numbers of PG seats,” FORDA said in a statement.

Meanwhile, health ministry officials met medical superintendents in Delhi for preparation of medical services in government hospitals.

Sources said after meeting representatives of the doctors, the health secretary was asked to provide possible solutions to the points raised by May 31 — a day before the doctors  threatened to go on an  indefinite strike.

Sources said doctors are planning a meeting of resident doctors in Delhi after May 31.