Journalism of Courage
The ongoing strike by medical officers entered the second day with post- mortems, deliveries and out patient department services affected at several primary health centres, rural and district hospitals. Over 600 medical officers in Pune district have submitted their resignations and will go on a relay hunger strike from Friday.
According to Dr Manoj Khomane, president of Pune district of Maharashtra Association for Gazetted Officers (MAGMO), at least 645 medical officers from various primary health centres, sub district hospitals and rural hospitals have tendered their resignation. The out patient department at these places has been affected due to the strike.
The medical officers will continue their agitation and demonstrate outside the Aundh district hospital on Friday. They will also go on a relay hunger strike to support the fast unto death launched by Dr Rajesh Gaikwad, president of MAGMO and Dr Pramod Rakshamwar, state secretary general of MAGMO.
Around 12,000 medical officers have gone on strike since July 1 and from July 3, around 620 members of the civil surgeons cadre association will join the indefinite strike. When contacted, Dr N D Deshmukh, district health officer said that OPD and in- patient department services has been affected mainly at 20-25 primary health centres. At least 100 out of 204 medical officers have joined the strike affecting services partially.
According to Gaikwad there is no response from the state so far to their demands that include absorption of those working on contractual basis, non-practising allowance, performance-based promotions and payment of arrears of salary in accordance with Sixth Pay Commission.
Dr Ashok Nandapurkar, general secretary of the civil surgeons cadre association said that they will also boycott all the meetings on July 3 and join the stir. Civil surgeons and specialist doctors working at state-run hospitals besides district health officers (DHOs) and equivalent senior cadre officers posted at administrative offices of the state public health department will participate in the agitation.
