New Delhi|HL
Around 2,000 resident doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) began an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday demanding the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission be implemented.
With the protest the doctors will continue to perform their duties as they do not wish patient-care to suffer.
Every day for one hour they will demonstrate at the premier institute’s gates Number 1 and 2, pressing for the implementation and continue to go without food.
The Resident Doctor’s Association of AIIMS also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Finance Minister Arun Jaitely. However, there has been no response.
While talking with Healthlive Harjit Singh Bhatti, President, RDA,AIIMS told “We would not withdraw this time until the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations are implemented for us,” We will continue to do peaceful protest and being a responsible doctors, we will not hamper the patients care facilities. We will work continuously without consuming food,” Bhatti added.
“Even after four months of implementation of the revised allowances at the central government institutes like Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital and other autonomous medical institutes like PGI Chandigarh, we are still awaiting a nod from the Health Ministry for getting it implemented here at AIIMS,” said AIIMS RDA President Harijit.
The RDA had approached the hospital administration, but it said that the Health Ministry was not giving its approval.
Bhatti said that the resident doctors at the AIIMS were forced to work “tediously” for more than the “mandated 48-hours” in a week. However, they were not getting their rightful due because of the “bureaucratic hurdles”.
Dr.Vijay Gurjar, former President RDA, AIIMS said’ We should receive pay according to the 7th CPC recommendations which will encourage us in carrying out our work with more enthusiasm.
The strike will also joined by Nurses Union, Officers Association, Society of Young Scientists, Students Union, Karmchari Union, Technicl Officers Association and other associations of AIIMS.
