MP Medical Council puts PG Registration of doctors on Hold, Doctors threaten Strike

The State Medical Council has sought directions from National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding the actions that would be taken against the protesting doctors. Until the time, the Medical Council hears from Apex medical body NMC, the registration of PG medicos on hold.

Frustrated and disappointed with such a stand of the Medical Council, the doctors are going to meet the Health Minister of the State soon. However, if the Government doesn't come forward to solve the issue, the doctors will be forced to go on a strike once again, Dr. Hareesh Pathak, President of MP JDA has recently told Medical Dialogues.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the junior doctors of the State, under the umbrella of Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) had gone into a strike over fulfilment of their 6-point charter of demands, including a hike of 24 percent in their stipends and a 6 percent annual hike.

Also Read: 3000 MP Junior Doctors tender en masse resignation after HC calls strike illegal

Following this, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had termed the strike as "illegal" and had directed the protesting doctors to resume their duties. The bench had condemned the JDA's decision to go on a strike at the time of a pandemic and said such a step can't be encouraged during a health crisis. However, the protesting doctors continue the demonstration.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister of the State, Vishwas Sarang had assured 17 percent hike in stipend and the doctors finally called off their strike respecting the directions of the High Court.

Earlier, the High Court in an order had also directed the Government to take a sympathetic view regarding the matter and avoid taking any harsh action against them.

"We appreciate the decision taken by them in joining back their duties. All the junior doctors/resident doctors constitute a pool of talent in the subject of medicine. Also keeping in view the services rendered by them during first and second wave of the Pandemic of Coronavirus, their zeal to serve people should not be dampened at the early stage of their career. We, therefore, commend to the State Government to take a sympathetic view of the matter and not precipitate the situation by taking any harsh action against them," the High Court had mentioned in the order dated 07.06.2021.

However, recently the State Medical Council has decided to play strict and accordingly, it has put the license registration of PG doctors on hold till it receives any directions from NMC regarding the matter.

Also Read: Call off strike or face action: GMC Bhopal warns junior doctors as stir continues after alleged Govt, cop harassment

Expressing their disappointment over the issue, President of MP JDA, Dr. Hareesh Pathak in a recent statement has mentioned, "When covid was on its peak then it was the resident doctors who worked day and night without fearing their life or family! Everyone was happy with the duty but when it came for their genuine rights and demands govt. had cold shoulder attitude towards it and didn't pay any heed to it. Due to which the residents all over India had to show their strength in forms of different types of movement and so was the case in MP."

"RDA MP was on strike since 30may to 6 june during which govt didn't leave any stone unturned to break us down. At last RDA MP came to halt only when their demands were half fulfilled and respecting the high court which clearly stated that no strict action should be taken against any RDA members," further mentioned the Statement.

Questioning the stand of the Government, the statement further read, "But now after 2 months a new notice has been issued to hold the PG registration of the office bearers of RDA MP when things have settled down! The war has gone personal and the bureaucrats have taken it a bit far. When the Judiciary can understand the work and dedication of doctors in COVID then why not the bureaucracy?"

Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the matter, Dr. Pathak, who also is the General Secretary of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) said, "Two months back, during the strike a notice had come that the registration of around 23 members and office bearers would be cancelled and a show-cause notice was also issued in this regard on June 6 where the authorities sought to know why the registration should not be cancelled. On 10^th of June we went to CME and submitted our justification."

"Now, they have given us a notice against few office bearers. The additional registration for Post-graduation would be put on hold till they get any response regarding this issue from the National medical commission," he added.

Frustrated over such a stand of the Medical Council, Dr. Pathak further mentioned, "These are the tools that the government is using for suppressing our demands. We will be meeting the Health Minister today, if no positive response comes out of the meeting, we would be forced to go on a strike."

Meanwhile, FAIMA has extended its support to the MP Doctors regarding the matter. In a recent Tweet, FAIMA has mentioned, "First MP Resident doctors were threatened by @ChouhanShivraj Govt during their strike for #genuinedemands Resident Doctors called off strike after getting promises from Govt and respecting High court decision! But now getting registration cancellation of #RDA Office Bearers."

While commenting on the matter, Dr. Manish, Founding Chairman of FAIMA said, "This is a complete injustice that the doctors of Madhya Pradesh are facing. Previously as well the Government had taken a wrong approach regarding the matter and they are repeating themselves again. Putting the future of these doctors in question is ultimately going to cause immense stress on them. FAIMA is in full support with the doctors of Madhya Pradesh. They might start the protest at the local level initially; however, later our association would fully support them to take it to the national level."