NEET PG 2021 counselling: RML doctors resume protest, claim Govt made fake promises

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-12-18T10:45:00+05:30 | Updated On 18 Dec 2021 5:15 AM GMT

NEET PG 2021 counselling: RML doctors resume protest, claim Govt made fake promises

Delhi: Protesting against the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, the resident doctors of Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital resumed their strike on Friday and boycotted all services, including emergency services. Besides RML, the doctors of two other Centre-run hospitals in Delhi including Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge hospitals stated that they decided to continue the strike as the government...

Delhi: Protesting against the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, the resident doctors of Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital resumed their strike on Friday and boycotted all services, including emergency services. Besides RML, the doctors of two other Centre-run hospitals in Delhi including Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge hospitals stated that they decided to continue the strike as the government had made a "fake promise".

The doctors of RML hospital held placards outside the hospital premises and boycotted OPD work as well as emergency services from yesterday 9 AM. However, the doctors have assured that will continue COVID services.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that as there had been still no solution regarding the pending NEET PG Counselling, the doctors under the umbrella of the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) also decided to go for a complete shutdown of services. For the last one week, the doctors had taken a break from their strike following the assurances given by the Union Health Ministry, which had promised that the problems related to NEET-PG counselling would be sorted soon.

The doctors had been protesting against the continuous delay in the NEET-PG Counselling, which was scheduled 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.

Also Read: NEET PG Counselling Expedition: Strike break ends today, Doctors to go for Complete Shutdown of Services from Tomorrow

Lately, the resident doctors of the RML hospital submitted a letter to the Health Ministry stating, " The agitation by the resident doctors were put on hold for a week as mentioned in a letter dated 9th December in view of clear that was issued by MoFHW for fast-tracking the court hearing and we were assured by honorable union minister that office of prime minister is also looking after the issue and process will be completed within a week. However, no action was taken by the ministry for one week which is in stark contrast to the fake promises and false assurances".

The letter signed by RDA President Dr. Atul Krishna further stated, " Already there is an utter shortage of doctors all over the nation as the counselling of neet PG 2021 batch has already been delayed by 8 months. With the imminent threat of the third week of covid-19, it is evident from the ignorant attitude of the concerned authorities that the healthcare plight of overburdened doctors and suffering patients is not of any importance to them at all."

" Hence as informed earlier resident doctors are left with no other option but to go for withdrawal of all services (routine as well as emergency) excluding COVID duties from 17th December 2021. The responsibility of this unfortunate situation affecting healthcare services is on the concerned authorities. We would again reiterate that our only motive and requests is to expedite the NEET PG counselling and admission process so that we can serve the patients in a better way", added the association.

Meanwhile, the authorities of RML issued a notice on the 16th of December stating that no doctors recruited on ad hoc basis or contractual basis can participate in the strike, and failing to do so will result in disciplinary action including termination of service. The resident doctors continued with the strike the very next day of the notice.

RDA RML submitted hardcopy to Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare regarding withdrawal of all services from tomorrow. @rda_rml @rda_rml @FordaIndia @IMAIndiaOrg @UnitedRda @FAIMA_INDIA_ @kard @thePHFI @CentralMARD_MH @IMA_MSNIndia @imajdnnational @OfficialPmsf @MedicosUnited pic.twitter.com/Cvjfr1KsYY
— Dr Furquan Ahmad (@Dr_Furquan_) December 16, 2021

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.