SMS Medical College Resident Doctors threaten to boycott duty over pending demands

Jaipur: Expressing frustration over the unfulfilled promises made 45 days ago after their last protest, the Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD) of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College, Jaipur has threatened to boycott work completely from October 18 if the government fails to initiate a discussion with the association within the next 48 hours. The association is currently on strike, which has now entered its tenth day. 

In a press release, the association highlighted that despite their ongoing strike for the past eight days, the government has shown no commitments and the assurances given in their last protest have not been fulfilled yet. It also pointed out that the government made no initiative for a dialogue with the delegation of resident doctors to address their demands.

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"Despite 45 days having passed since the assurances given by the government after the last agitation and the strike going on in the state for the last 8 days, the promises and demands made by the government have not been fulfilled nor has the delegation of resident doctors been called for any talks. It clearly appears that the government is showing insensitivity towards ending the strike and the problems being faced by the patients," mentioned the press release. 

The resident doctors associated with the association had submitted eight charter demands to the government, which had not been addressed despite months of discussions. As a result, the association called for an indefinite strike on October 8 which they are continuing by suspending elective services at the hospital. Their demands include- 

1. Strengthen security and infrastructure in all medical colleges as per previous agreements.

2. Increase the stipend and provide timely increments, as the current stipend in Rajasthan is lower than even neighboring and economically weaker states like Bihar.

3. Amend the current unjust mandatory bond policy. The penalty for leaving a seat and the provision of the surety bond should be removed, as has been done by the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh following NMC recommendations.

4. Direct recruitment of Specialist Medical Officers (SMO) should be carried out to provide merit-based jobs to postgraduate/super-specialist doctors and ensure proper specialist healthcare services for the people of Rajasthan.

5. Recruit Junior Specialists (JS) in all branches where postgraduate degrees are offered.

6. Improve hostel living conditions and provide HRA (House Rent Allowance) to all residents who do not opt for government accommodation as per NMC guidelines.

7. Address the wage disparity between academic and non-academic senior residents. Doctors completing super-specialty courses (DM/MCh) while in service should be given the same promotions and pay hikes as they receive after completing postgraduate degrees. This will help address the severe shortage of super-specialist doctors across the state.

8. Resolve the pay disparity between in-service doctors earning degrees in homoeopathy/ayurveda and allopathy.

Due to the lack of progress and communication with the government, the association has announced that they will be forced to escalate their protest by initiating a work boycott from tomorrow if no action is taken by the government in the next 48 hours. 

"If there is no positive response to our demands, the movement will be further intensified and the government and administration will be solely responsible for any kind of problem faced by the patients," added the press release. 

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