Resident docs hit pause on protest till today
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) temporarily called off their protest today.
In a statement issued by the association, they maintained that there’s a temporary hold on the protest in solidarity with West Bengal resident doctors’ hunger strike till October 17. While the association’s support and solidarity continue to be with the general sentiment of the doctors of hospitals in West Bengal and other states, it will take a combined action plan on October 17 after monitoring how other institutions, particularly those in Delhi, respond to the situation.
Keeping in view the current situation arising due to the ongoing agitation by the hospital and sanitation attendants, and suggestion from the administration, in an effort to prevent any severe public inconvenience, the ARD members have decided to rejoin their duties.
According to sources, the strict implementation of “no work, no pay” rule by the PGI administration and nearing exams are also the reasons for the doctors’ suspending the strike. Today, most of the doctors protested on a rotational basis, which means they took part in the agitation after their duty hours.
Yesterday, 80 per cent of doctors performed their respective duties after a 12-hour strike call (from 9 am to 9 pm) was given by the association. While 10 resident doctors observed huger strike, others staged a demonstrtaion near the Director office on the PGI complex. Most doctors took part in the protest during the off-duty hours.
