MP JDA withdraws strike after authorities assure disapproval of order that Cancelled Registration of PG Doctors

This rapid development comes shortly after the deans of the Government medical colleges served notices to junior doctors and MP JDA office-bearers were asked by the authorities to vacate the hostel. Further, the doctors were also warned of action under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

However, following this, the doctors had a long conversation with the Dean of the Gandhi Medical College (GMC) Bhopal, where the three PG doctors were pursuing their PG medical education and the College Council. After this, the students have been given a written assurance that the College Council would recommend MPMC for not putting the additional registration of the doctors on hold.

Further, the doctors were also assured by that all the actions that were taken by the college authorities during the strike would be withdrawn and also no further action would be taken against these doctors for participating in the strike. Apart from this, the period of strike shall be counted as leave, the college has further assured.

"After long negotiation and discussion with Dean sir and College council JDA Bhopal and MP has called off the strike after written assurance given by them of disapproving the Hold on additional registration on 3 of its members. Thanks to all the states and post holders who really helped us in this and stood by us in this time of adversity !" Dr. Hareesh Pathak, President of JDA MP mentioned in a statement.

Also Read: Registration of PG Doctors Cancelled: Around 3000 doctors in MP go on Indefinite Strike

Medical Dialogues had recently reported that protesting against the disciplinary action of the Madhya Pradesh Government against few junior doctors of the state, around 3000 resident doctors had started an indefinite strike against the Government.

The doctors had clearly mentioned that the strike would continue until the Government withdraws the notice where it had taken disciplinary action against the PG doctors and has canceled the registration of MP doctors.

The issue goes back to a few months ago when the junior doctors of the State, under the umbrella of the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) had gone into a strike over fulfillment of their 6-point charter of demands, including a hike of 24 percent in their stipends and a 6 percent annual hike.

Following this, although the Madhya Pradesh High Court had condemned the JDA's decision to go on a strike at the time of a pandemic it had also directed the Government to take a sympathetic view regarding the matter and avoid taking any harsh action against them.

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.

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

As a result, around 3000 doctors in Madhya Pradesh initiated an agitation and stopped all kinds of services. Soon afterward, the ESMA was imposed by the authorities and all the doctors were asked to join back duty. Further, the office-bearers of MP JDA were asked to vacate the hostel as well.

Soon afterward, the situation changed rapidly and a discussion was held between the JDA members and the GMC Bhopal college authorities. After this, the College Council assured that it would recommend before MPMC for not taking any disciplinary action against those three doctors they assured of disapproving the notice given by the State Council where it had decided to keep the additional registration of three PG doctors on hold.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the matter, Dr. Hareesh Pathak, President of MP JDA told Medical Dialogues, "We are thankful to our teachers and seniors for assuring us that they would recommend MPMC, NMC, and everywhere else positively so no action is taken against us. Respecting their words we have decided to call off the strike and we are going back to work."

"We are happy because any doctors who have raised their voice in the past or will raise in the future, a negative example should never be set in this way that their registration would be put on hold or actions would be taken. A positive impact needs to be shown to the public, to medical fraternity and the future medical students," he added.

Earlier Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) had also extended its support towards the doctors and announced initiating a strike in Delhi and Pan India.

However, after the issue got resolved, Dr. Rohan Krishnan, National VP of FAIMA said, "FAIMA thanks the Government for taking the corrective steps as no one likes to go on strike and do unnecessary protest. We want to continue doing our jobs that is serving the patients because that is what we are good at."

"Out of respect for the verbal assurance we have called off the strike, and if the situation remains like this and no harsh action gets taken against the doctors, we will continue doing our work," he added.