Rajaiah urges doctors to end stir

Invites Telangana Junior Doctors Association for talks on Sunday

Warangal: Deputy Chief Minister Thatikonda Rajaiah has appealed to the striking junior doctors to call off their agitation. He invited them to come for a fresh round of talks on Sunday.

Speaking to press persons here on Saturday, he urged the members of Telangana Junior Doctors Association to consider the plight of the poor patients, who were suffering across the state.

He said that the junior doctors had played a key role in Telangana movement and with the same spirit, they should call off the stir and join the duties. “The State government has considered four of the five demands which were put forward by the association leaders,” he stated.

The Minister said the issue of mandatory rural service of one year was pending in the court and government cannot take a decision immediately.

It needs to be amended and all the political parties should have to extend their support, said Rajaiah, who is also the Health Minister. He recalled that in the past, mandatory rural service was of three years duration and it was reduced to one year following an amendment.

He pointed out that frequent strikes by junior doctors would do no good to the new State of Telangana. In view of the rainy season, viral fevers were spreading in rural areas. Hence, the junior doctors should resume duties and serve people, he appealed.

Doctors working at other places like PHCs were deputed for the time being to meet the demand at MGM Hospital, he said. A total 351 dengue cases and 2,918 malaria cases were registered in the state. He stated that there was no need to panic as deaths were not reported. Meanwhile, junior doctors who were on a relay hunger strike since Friday, threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the talks fail again on Sunday. Speaking to the media, they demanded the government to give a written undertaking on rural services issue if they have to join the duties.