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

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

"Taking disciplinary action against the legitimate demands raised by the junior doctors and going against the order of the High Court, the administration has once again released an order canceling the registration of doctors. Junior doctors of the entire state will start an agitation against it from tomorrow, and it will only end only when this notice is withdrawn," Junior Doctors Association mentioned in a recent statement.

This comes after last month, the MP State Medical Council had decided to put the license registration of PG doctors on hold till it receives any directions from NMC regarding the matter. Such a step was taken against several office bearers of JDA as a consequence of the protest they had engaged into regarding several of their demands.

Previously MP JDA President had told Medical Dialogues that if the meeting with the Government officials does not solve the issue, they would be forced to go on strike. However, the meeting with the concerned authorities didn't resolve the matter, and recently the Madhya Pradesh State Medical Council passed an order and canceled the registration of MP doctors who had led the strike previously. Following this, around 3000 doctors in Madhya Pradesh have once again taken the path of strike.

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 fulfilment of their 6-point charter of demands, including a hike of 24 percent in their stipends and a 6 percent annual hike.

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.

However, last month 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.

Expressing their disappointment over the issue, President of MP JDA, Dr. Hareesh Pathak had mentioned in a statement, "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."

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

Even though the JDA members had met the Medical Education Ministry officials several times the issue didn't resolve and the registration of several office bearers of JDA got canceled. Following this, several doctors from several medical colleges in MP wrote to the College authorities requesting them withdraw the order. The doctors had also clarified that if the order doesn't get withdrawn till the morning of September 8, the doctors would be forced to go into strike and stop all services.

As the Government didn't change its stand, around 3000 Junior Doctors of Madhya Pradesh have once again taken the path of an indefinite strike until the notice is revoked. All the services including OPD and emergency have been stopped.

While commenting on the matter, Dr. Hareesh Pathak told Medical Dialogues, "The junior doctors who worked hard in Covid and were praised by people are getting their registration canceled in MP. Is it how the MP govt preparing for 3rd wave?"

"So we are on indefinite strike till the notice is revoked," he clarified.

Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has also extended its support towards the doctors. Condemning the move of MP Government, Dr Rohan Krishnan, National VP of FAIMA said, "Harassing the PG students who are the frontline workers of this Pandemic is a serious issue. Any kind of irrational move by the MP government will lead to disastrous effects as we will support our junior colleagues and start a strike in Delhi & Pan India. Hence we urge the government not to follow any draconian policies."

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