Tamil Nadu: Government doctors hold indefinite strike demanding salary hike

CHENNAI: On Friday morning, an indefinite strike was begun by the Government doctors in Tamil Nadu, demanding a salary hike. While there were long queues in out-patient sections in most government hospitals in the morning. Emergency departments, ICUs and fever wards were fully functional.

Most of the doctors explored their ways through for participating in the strike by signing the attendance forms and taking turns to stand with the protesting group of doctors.

In Chennai, outside the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, more than 300 doctors from different government hospitals were seen raising slogans.

An assistant professor in Kilpauk Medical College, said, "Most departments had professors and post graduates on the floor throughout the day. Assistant professors took breaks to join the strike."

Health secretary Beela Rajesh had held talks with the striking doctors, which however failed.

Until October 29, other patient facilities will be fully operational. "We have planned for a full 48-hour strike on October 30. Even on that day, we are organising teams to respond to emergencies. It is just that one doctor will have to deal with the workload of ten doctors for those two days," said a senior doctor at GRH.

Several doctors participated in the strike in Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. Hospital dean Dr SM Kannan noted that patient care had remained smooth.

In Trichy, more doctors were seen participating in the striking. "As many as 550 doctors including postgraduate doctors joined definite strike this morning," said state treasurer of Service Doctors and Postgraduates Association (SDPGA) Dr T Arun Eswaran.

DMK president M K Stalin had said, "Doctors must withdraw their strike, hold talks with chief minister and see that their demands are accepted by the government."