Telangana JDA extends support to Gandhi hospital's protesting doctors demanding restoration of non-COVID services

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2020-11-18T10:15:09+05:30 | Updated On 18 Nov 2020 4:00 PM IST

Telangana JDA extends support to Gandhi hospitals protesting doctors demanding restoration of non-COVID services

Telangana: Extending support to the protesting junior doctors of Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJDA) units from three government colleges have also threatened to boycott their duties if the demands of the Junior Doctors are not fulfilled.

The house surgeons (MBBS interns) and the postgraduate medicos who are extending their services in the facility as junior doctors demanded that non-COVID services should immediately resume in the facility, However, no such initiatives were taken; hence the doctors have gone on an indefinite strike from November 11. Now TJDA has also joined hands with the protesting doctors.

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The doctors pointed out that the facility has been converted into a COVID dedicated facility which is barring them from gaining knowledge about other diseases.

The representatives of the Telangana junior doctors association had confirmed to ANI that they have submitted representations to their concerned authorities and hospital superintendents supporting the cause of the protesting junior doctors. They also made multiple representations asking the authorities to start non-COVID services but in vain. No step was taken by the authorities to address their demands.

"Despite multiple representations to the concerned authorities regarding resuming of non-Covid service at the state-run teaching hospital, there is no change in the situation of residents at Gandhi hospital. We have decided to unanimously boycott our duties and call for a strike in this regard," read a statement from TJUDA. According to the statement, resuming the non-Covid services in the super speciality hospital would help patients suffering from ailments other than Covid-19 and would also do justice to academic of postgraduate students who have suffered for the last seven months due to the pandemic.

"Moreover, a huge workforce of a teaching facility, over 600 resident doctors, 350 interns, 600 nurses and 600 patients are currently admitted for Covid care at Gandhi Hospital. And in view of the same, Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) can be the new nodal center for the management of Covid-19 cases, if any," the statement read, reports ANI

Under such circumstances, TJDA members held a meeting a few days ago and the association president Dr. V Navin informed that a decision was taken by the representatives from Kakatiya Medical College (KMC), and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) to boycott their elective duties from today; on the other hand, Osmania Medical College(OMC) representatives also decided to go on a protest but they have not specified any date yet.

TJDA clarified that if the non-COVID services are not resumed as per the demands of the junior doctors, they will resort to boycotting duties from today.

Meanwhile, the Director of Medical Education Dr K Ramesh Reddy and the hospital superintendent of Gandhi Hospital, Dr. M Raja Rao paid a visit to the hospital and thought about ways of dissociating COVID patient treatment from non-COVID patients.

The Hindu reports that ultimately the Director of Medical Education issued an order stating that non-COVID emergency surgeries can restart at Gandhi hospital from November 21. However, the Junior Doctors stated that this can not address their concerns totally as they are being denied the practical experience and the education which they should acquire as part of the their internship because they are not getting the chance to deal with different kind of health cases. Especially those junior doctors who will complete their residency terms at the hospita in February are concerned about the matter.

The Junior Doctors of Gandhi Hospital along with the association also pointed out that resuming non-COVID services are also extremely necessary not only for the academic purposes but also considering the fact that non-COVID cases have also increased which can lead to to unavailability of beds for the non-COVID patients. They are also entitled to get the treatment just like the COVID patients.

One of the junior doctors told the Deccan Chronicle that "As long as the Covid-19 designated hospital tag continues, non-Covid-19 patients will not see Gandhi Hospital as an option to go to. Also, all services, including outpatient and inpatient services should be opened," Dr Naveen said. The doctors suggested that as long as the hospital remains a COVID dedicated facility, the non-COVID functions and services can never carry on normally.

Gandhi Medical College and HospitalTelangana Junior Doctors AssociationTJDAnon covid servicesdoctor strike

Source : with inputs

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.