Doctors' protest continue, some relief for patients as emergency services resume

Emergency services have resumed at several government hospitals in Delhi in some relief to patients, even as resident doctors continued ir strike for third consecutive day on Saturday against National Medical Commission Bill.

doctors have been boycotting work and demonstrating over certain provisions of Bill since August 1.

Heavy police presence were seen around AIIMS campus in Delhi and Safdarjung Hospital, located across ro, after protestors got agitated following a warning issued by Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital.

"I have been asked by Ministry to inform you that if striking doctors do t resume ir duties immediately, strict punitive action like suspension/termination of services, vacation of hostel accommodation will be initiated immediately against all striking doctors," said Medical Superintendent Sunil Gupta in a letter dressed to hospital's Resident Doctor's Association president.

Safdarjung Hospital's emergency services are still affected, a hospital staff said.

A senior police official said, "situation is under control as of w" and police is trying to maintain peace and control traffic situation in area.

Doctors of several associations have been expressing reservations over certain provisions of bill and allege that se are "anti-poor, anti-student and undemocratic".

Those striking also include members of resident doctors' association of RML Hospital and those attached with Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and United Resident Doctors' Association (URDA).

However, around midnight, most of RDAs anunced that y have resumed emergency services.

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From Saturday, a few Delhi government-run hospitals also resumed all services, officials said.

Resident doctors at Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan in east Delhi's Shahdara, which gets a lot of outstation patients, went on strike on Friday morning and on Saturday resumed services, a senior official said.

Scores of doctors at or facilities, meanwhile, continued ir strike on Saturday, two days after pass of NMC Bill in Rajya Sabha.

" AIIMS RDA and SU (students union) stand stefast in our decision to continue ongoing indefinite strike against certain provisions of NMC Bill along with medical fraternity across nation.

"However, keeping in mind interests of patient community emergency services have been resumed," AIIMS RDA said in a statement.

Doctors have been raising concerns regarding role of community health providers (CHP) vis-a-vis a trained doctors, and NEXT (National Exit Examination).

AIIMS RDA furr said, "We once again appeal to lawmakers across party lines to discuss and see to it that our concerns are dressed when bill is reintroduced in Lok Sabha for ratification of official amendments me by Rajya Sabha, without which we will be forced to withdraw residents from emergency services once again".

Patients at AIIMS, LNJP Hospital and several or facilities h faced a harrowing time in past two days in accessing medical care, many of whom h come from neighbouring cities.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has appealed to striking doctors to resume work, saying bill was in "interest" of doctors and patients.

health minister me appeal during a meeting with a delegation of resident doctors from AIIMS, and various or associations on August 2. 

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