To express their solidarity with MBBS students in Haryana's Rohtak protesting a policy that mandated them to pay a bond fee of around `10 lakh during admission, doctors at various government-run hospitals in Delhi on Monday wore black ribbons.
The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) has given a call for the nationwide black ribbon protest, saying it was in response to the alleged police action against MBBS students of a medical college in Rohtak who were protesting against the "new bond policy".
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on November 2 said no student will have to deposit the Rs 10 lakh bond amount at the time of admission for MBBS in government colleges. According to a Haryana government statement, they will instead have to sign a bond-cum-loan agreement of the amount with the college and the bank concerned.
However, the decision as well as police action on the medical students protesting it, drew flak from resident doctors in Delhi too. Medicos at Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital, DDU Hospital; and Centre-run Lady Hardinge Medical College, RML Hospital and Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital sporting black ribbons at work, a FORDA official said.
On November 5, FORDA in a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressed their displeasure at the police action against Rohtak medical college MBBS students when they were protesting against the Bond policy.
"An unwarranted fee hike in the form of a despicable bond policy followed by police action on innocent doctors who have given their best in all circumstances including the COVID-19 pandemic shows the apathy and weak memory the government has".
Dr Sarvesh Pandey, Vice President RDA RML and FORDA General Secretary, said: "We on behalf of RDA RML would like to condemn the act of atrocity done by Haryana Police towards the doctors who were on silent protest against the inhumane bond which has been forcibly applied by the Health Ministry of Haryana. The act of violence towards doctors is completely unacceptable and unethical."
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) also expressed support for the protesting students and their demands.
A delegation led by FAIMA Chief Advisor Dr Manish Jangra joined the PGIMS Rohtak in protest. Dr Jangra said that they were against the Rs 40 lakh bond policy imposed by the state government. “We also condemn acts of brutality by Rohtak police on MBBS Students. Water Canons must not be used for MBBS students. They were protesting silently. This does not behove well on the part of the Government machinery. After all the Governments will have to bank on these young medicos for ensuring better healthcare for people.”