Services remain crippled as docs continue strike

The doctors of provincial medical services boycotted OPD services in Varanasi for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday,further paralysing the healthcare facility of the city. On the eve of Mahashivaratri,the doctors have also decided to boycott all VIP duties in the city. However,seeing the rush of people for Mahashivaratri Mela on Sunday,the medical fraternity has decided to provide required medical facility for the mela.

The doctors have been protesting against the assault of an emergency medical officer (EMO) by people associated with a political party on Tuesday. Though an FIR has been lodged against four miscreants,two of whom have also been arrested,the doctors have been demanding arrest of all four and immediate implementation of Medical Protection Act in the state.

Meanwhile,the district magistrate of Varanasi,Pranjal Yadav also met a group of doctors on Saturday. “The DM called us and conveyed his administrative inability to nab the remaining culprits because the police has been diverted for the preparation of Mahashivratri Mela,” said Dr Arvind Singh,district secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Medical Service Association (UPPMSA). “As of now,we are continuing our work boycott including boycott of duty on escort ambulances for VIPs. However,we have agreed to do the mela duty because it will affect the public directly,” said Dr Singh,adding that the association will meet the DM again on Monday,following which further decisions regarding the protest will be taken.