Chennai Government Doctors Protest Over Unmet Demands
Chennai: Over 50 government doctors, including 20 women, recently staged a protest at the DME office in Chennai under the banner of the Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors (LCC). They demanded the implementation of Pay Band IV, as per Government Order 354, along with addressing several other grievances.
Dr. S. Perumal Pillai, president of the LCC, emphasized that the protest aimed to draw the attention of the Chief Minister and press the government to address their long-standing demands. Apart from salary revisions, the protesting doctors also raised concerns regarding postgraduate medical students across Tamil Nadu, calling for better working conditions, weekly leave, regulated duty hours, and improved accommodation facilities.
Their other demands included a government job for the wife of the Late Dr Vivekanandan who died in service during the COVID pandemic, Weekly leaves for postgraduate medical students across Tamil Nadu and appointment of doctors and nurses according to the number of population and patients in government hospitals.
In a press release, the association pointed out, “Even after the court directed the state government to provide a government job to Ms. Divya – wife of the late Dr Vivekanandan, who died in service during the COVID pandemic – the family did not get justice. We believe that our Chief Minister will not want the family of the doctor who died fighting to save the people to continue shedding tears.”
Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. S. Perumal Pillai stated, “Similarly, in 2019, the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M.K. Stalin, came in person to support the fasting protest of government doctors. He swore to the doctors that the pay demand would be fulfilled when the DMK government came to power. But it has not been fulfilled yet.” “In other words, we do not expect the GO 354 issued during Kalaignar M Karunanidhi's leadership to be ignored during the DMK government. Why is Kalaignar's GO 354 not implemented when the son is the Chief Minister and the grandson is the Deputy Chief Minister?” he added.
The association pointed out that postgraduate medical students who work like machines all year round should be given adequate weekly rest and recognition. They should also be provided with accommodation facilities. Moreover, the association stated that the infrastructure of the health sector is not buildings, construction experts or equipment, the doctors and nurses who are working to save lives are the infrastructure. “The Minister of Health says that the number of patients in government hospitals has more than doubled. But why not increase the number of doctors, nurses, and medical staff accordingly? How can medical services be provided to the people easily?” the association stated.
The association has pledged to ensure that all postgraduate medical students get weekly rest, proper working hours and accommodation facilities. “We are completely sure in the demand that the government doctors who save lives should be given Pay Band 4 in 12 years as per Government Order 354, which also respects the sacrifice of Dr. Lakshmi Narasimhan. We are sure in the demand that Ms Divya – wife of Late Dr. Vivekanandan, who died in service during the COVID pandemic – should be given a government job immediately,” the association stated.
