Andhra doctors on strike

Medical services were affected badly in government hospitals across Andhra Pradesh on Monday as doctors began an indefinite strike demanding pay hike, even as the Government invited them for a dialogue to resolve the matter. Several patients who came to major hospitals like Gandhi hospital and Niloufer children8217;s hospital complained that they had not got treatment due to the strike.

8220;We came from Siddipet in Medak district in the hope of getting treatment because Niloufer is a big hospital. But we have not been getting any treatment,8221; a parent said. In Visakhapatnam, about 250 doctors working with hospitals like King George Hospital and the Andhra Medical College participated in the strike.

The striking doctors attended to emergency cases but they threatened to completely boycott the medical services from October 2 if the Goverment did not accede to their demands. Meanwhile, a government delegation headed by Finance Minister K Rosaiah began talks with the representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors Association APGDA around noon. The doctors are demanding implementation of various recommendations of the high-powered committee appointed by the CM earlier.