GNDH doctors call off strike after state health minister intervenes
Minister’s OSD tells protesters their demands will be fulfilled; 4-member panel formed for smooth hospital ops
The strike by some 1000 senior and junior resident doctors, along with medical students at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) has been called off on fifth day of strike on Saturday, after Punjab health and family welfare minister Brahm Mohindra intervened.
The strike was suspended after minister’s officer on special duty (OSD), Puneet Giridhar, met the agitating doctors and students on Saturday evening and assured them of meeting most of their demands.
In a meeting, OSD said, “The demands of agitating doctors will be met. Closed-cicuit TV cameras will be installed and security guards will be appointed to increase the security of the hospital and its staff. However, the demand of medical superintendent’s (MS) resignation needs proper documentation and procedure. For this, a four member bench has been made.”
The committee includes leaders of junior and senior resident doctors , MS Dr Surinder Paul and Medical College principal Dr Sujata Sharma. The committee will conduct meetings after every 15 days to look after the affairs concerning the institution, including security measures. Dr Paul will also present his side of the story before the committee members.
Meanwhile, after negotiations, the health services at the hospital have been resumed and the doctors have started attending patients. Earlier, the strike had started in protest against a guard, who allegedly molested two junior doctors on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. Apart from increased security measures, the protesters had demanded resignation of medical superintendent of the hospital for allegedly making indecent remarks against women after the incident.