Over 4,500 Karnataka Government’s doctors’ protest has hit the medical services across the State making patients go through severe ordeal. For the last two days the Government doctors have been protesting against lack of wage revisions, a deadlock over long pending demands and a “misinformation” campaign against them. As the talks between striking doctors and the Government were inconclusive, the doctors from across the State have submitted en mass resignations to the secretary the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah invited the protesting doctors for a talk on Tuesday. He told the media in Bangalore on Monday that the State Government is ready for talks with Government doctors. Health Minister UT Khader has already had talks with the protesting doctors. Siddaramaiah said that the decision to resign from work was not a solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Khader and Minister for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil, have convened a meeting of District Health Officers and Programme Officers to talk about alternatives to deal with the en mass resignations. The Government medical officers were called to the same meeting but they abstained from it. According to sources, more than 2,000 doctors have submitted their resignations which were not accepted.
Meanwhile, the State Government took a tough stand against the striking doctors. The Karnataka Government said it will make alternative arrangements and such ‘black mail’ tactics were uncalled for. Health Minister Khader said the Government will set up call centres to ensure medical service.
Khader said “October 28 has been fixed as the day for discussions with the State Government Doctors Association. But they began the agitation today without any reason. Their problems could have been solved through a peaceful dialogue. Already 12 of the 14 demands were fulfilled”.
These doctors are working at 2,556 Primary Health Centres, 175 Taluk Health Centres, 500 Community Health Centres and five Government Maternity Hospitals across the State. All of the office-bearers of the Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association, have submitted resignations to PS Vastrad, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Department.