112 docs to join health officers’ strike

Health care services at over 2,000 rural hospitals and primary health centres remained paralysed on day two of the strike called by health officers across the state with over 8,000 doctors staying away from work.

Healthcare remained affected despite the contingency plans of the state directorate of health services. However,they managed emergencies and deliveries. Teams of six specialists ¿ a physician,surgeon,paediatrician,gynaecologist,anaesthetist and forensic expert ¿ were deployed to 22 districts that do not have medical colleges. “Around 2,000 Ayurveda and MBBS doctors who are employed on contractual basis have been sent to district hospitals to conduct out patient departments,” said Dr S Dakure,director of health services in the state.

Around 112 doctors who work as medical officers and surgeons in the state-run JJ Group of Hospitals and Nagpada Police Hospital in the city are likely to join the strike on Thursday.

A meeting has been called between the health minister and FHO doctors on Thursday. The government has agreed in principle to fill up the discrepancies in pay,which was one of their demands. On Tuesday,doctors and medical officers under the banner of the Federation of Health Officers Association (FOHA) went on an indefinite strike.