Amid the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) announced to go on an indefinite strike.
The doctors working for COVID-19 patients were demanding a hike in their salaries. However, their plea went unheard, following which they decided to go on a strike. They issued a two week notice to the administration and the State Government regarding the same.
According to sources, the junior doctors wrote to the State Government demanding a 15 % hike in salaries and 10% incentives immediately. They also requested the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Government to provide treatment for health workers and their family members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) hospital.
The doctors also demanded insurance for medical students in the letter. The letter read, “The ex-gratia of 50 lakh for doctors and 25 lakh for nurses and supporting staff that was announced has not been implemented so far. We will boycott service if the demands are not met by May 25, 2021.”
The JUDA notice issued for the State Government read, “We the JUDA members hereby bring to your kind notice that stipends 15 percent hike for post graduates and interns is due from January 2020. The file bearing No. 5665/2018 is due for final approval of the chief minister. Also 15 percent hike for senior residents is pending for finance approval. We regularly pursued for approval of hike with officials regularly since last 6 months. The 10 percent incentive that was announced was healthcare workers has not been implemented till date.”
This warning of going on indefinite strike amid increasing Covid cases is creating panic . The indefinite strike decision came days after the Telangana Doctors Federation demanded two weeks complete lockdown.
Meanwhile, if the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Government and the State Health Department fails to meet the JUDA’s demand, they would boycott services from the 25th of May.
Also read: Telangana Government Calls For Cabinet Meeting, Likely To Impose Partial Lockdown
