Centre assures action on NEET PG Counselling delay: Doctors Suspend strike for 1 week
New Delhi: In the latest development regarding the ongoing strike by resident doctors in Delhi, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) have decided to suspend their strike activities for the time being and resume OPD and emergency services.
Such a decision has been taken by the doctors after they received strong assurances from the Union Health Ministry and the Central Government that the issue regarding the pending NEET-PG Counselling would be resolved soon.
Issuing a Press Release, FORDA mentioned, "FORDA has decided to hold the agitation for a period of 1 week after discussing with State RDA representatives in a virtual meeting held today, 9th December, 2021."
"The overburdened & exhausted Resident Doctors across the nation have been protesting since 27th November, 2021, against the multiple postponement of NEET-PG 2021 Counselling & subsequent Admission of fresh batch of Resident Doctors for the current Academic Year. The agitation that began with "Withdrawal from OPD services" by Resident Doctors, escalated to "Withdrawal from Routine services" by 3rd December, 2021 onwards. Since the agitation began, there have been multiple meetings of FORDA representatives with Honourable Union Health Minister & Ministry of Health & Welfare (MoHFW) officials for fast-tracking the Court proceedings & for expediting the Counselling process," FORDA stated in the release.
"However, since the verbal assurances of concerned authorities were not materialized & there was no concrete measure taken, FORDA was forced to call for "Withdrawal of all Services" (Routine as well as Emergency) by Resident Doctors in healthcare institutions, 6th December, 2021 onwards. Subsequently, a plea was issued by MoHFW for fast-tracking the court hearing & we were assured by Hon'ble Union Health Minister that the Office of Prime Minister is also looking after the issue & the process will be completed within a week," added the release.
"Considering the above & looking at the security situation of the nation owing to untimely demise of Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat & other army personnel in a tragic accident yesterday," FORDA decided to hold the agitation for a period of one week.
Resuming all services with immediate effect, FORDA further mentioned, "In case the issue is not addressed by 16th December, 2021, we will be forced to call for complete shutdown of all services except COVID areas in healthcare institutions."
Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the matter, Dr. Manish, the President of FORDA said, "Received a letter from the Union Health Ministry and a strong assurance that within a week time, the Govt will come up with a concrete solution. He even mentioned that PMO has also directed them to solve the issue at the earliest."
"So if our issues are not addressed within a week time then we will be forced to go for complete shutdown," added Dr. Manish.
FAIMA has also decided to resume emergency and OPD services and continue their protest activities by wearing black badges to work.
While commenting on the matter, Dr. Rohan Krishnan, President of FAIMA said, "The agitation that is going on for the delay in NEET PG Counselling is going to continue unless and until the date of counselling is given or the Supreme Court announces its judgment."
"However, taking note of the fact that the Central Government has done the needful and the officials have guaranteed and promised that within ten days there would be a positive outcome regarding the problem and also considering the problems and difficulties faced by the patients FAIMA has decided to call off the strike. We request all the RDAs to go back to their duties. However, protest activities like wearing black badges to work or holding candle march after working hours may continue," said Dr. Rohan.
Warning of escalating the strike after ten days he further mentioned, "After ten days if the Govt. again fails to fulfill their promises then we are going to take the agitation to the next level and we might begin hunger strike as well."
NEET PG Counselling in the 50 percent AIQ seats was set to commence from October 25, 2021. However, as the OBC and EWS reservation policy that was announced by the Central Government was challenged before the Supreme Court, MCC had postponed the counselling process and it cannot commence until the Central Government revisits the Rs 8 lakh annual income limit set for determining the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that medicos have been protesting against the continuous delay in the NEET-PG Counselling process by stopping the OPD services. Recently, resident doctors in three Delhi-based hospitals- RML, Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge- had decided to boycott emergency services as well.
Also Read: NEET PG Counselling delay: Here is how doctors reacted Pan India
