AIIMS docs wear helmets to express solidarity with Maha counterparts
NEW DELHI: To extend support to the resident doctor’s of Maharashtra, several doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi wore helmets treating patients on Wednesday.
Reportedly, by wearing helmets, the Delhi doctors expressed solidarity with their agitating Marathi counterparts. They also took part in ‘Save the Saviours’ campaign, while demanding a safe working environment for every practicing doctor at government set-ups.
Moreover, over 40,000 resident doctors of government hospitals in the national Capital will go on casual leave en masse on Thursday in support of their counterparts in Maharashtra who are on strike.
Residents doctors from around 40 government hospitals, including those run by civic bodies, will go on mass leave, but those on emergency duty will work.
“The decision has been taken in view of increasing incidents of assaults on doctors and also to show solidarity towards our colleagues in Maharashtra. We also condemn the action taken by Maharashtra government against the doctors,” Dr Pankaj Solanki, president of The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) said.
FORDA is an umbrella body of all residents doctors in Delhi.
Dr Vijay Gurjar, president of resident doctors’ associa- tion, AIIMS, said: “Instead of providing security to resident doctors at their workplace, authorities are threatening to deduct their salary and throw them out of their hostels. We resident doctors have been forced to work with helmets in emergency as we do not want to lose our vision and life, as well as our hard earned degrees.”
The strike by doctors in Maharashtra was conducted after a resident doctor was brutally beaten up by the relatives of a deceased patient. The helmet, in this case, is symbolic of a protective measure against such cases.
“There is no discussion on compensation, but harsh steps are being taken to defame this noble profession,” said Dr Gurjar.
Nearly 1,200 resident doctors at AIIMS came out in support of their counterparts. “We support the doctors of Maharashtra and request people to have faith in our profession,” said Dr Harjit Singh, General Secretary, Resident Doctors’ Association, AIIMS.
On Wednesday, the Maharashtra government ordered the striking doctors to report to duty by the evening or lose six months’ salary.
Bombay High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur on Tuesday had said: “If you (doctors) do not want to work, then resign. You are not factory workers that you will resort to such protests. Shame on you. How can doctors behave in such a manner?”