Gandhi Hospital doctors call off strike

​Hyderabad: Gandhi hospital doctors, who went on a five-day mass casual leave boycotting OP and Elective duties against government decision to increase retirement age of professors, called off their protest on Thursday.

The general body of Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGDA) Gandhi unit announced this decision on Thursday afternoon after holding a key meeting following discussion held with Health Minister Laxma Reddy earlier in the day.

Dr D Ramesh, president, doctor’s association said that they decided to resume duties in view of requests from Governor and Health Minister.

Dr Bhumesh Kumar, a member said that they requested the minister to revisit decision to enhance age limit set to benefit only a handful of professors. The minister promised that he would take the matter to the notice of CM and ensure doctors’ interests are protested.

While calling off their stir, TGDA however stated in no uncertain terms that it would launch indefinite hunger strike if government does not take steps to implement the decision. They wanted the decision to be put in cold storage.

While a delegation was holding discussions with the Minister at Telangana Bhavan, their colleagues held a blood donation camp at Gandhi Hospital as part of their earlier announced protest. Meanwhile, Gandhi Superintendent P Shravan Kumar stated that they took requisite steps in the morning in hospital so that OP and electives were not affected. Junior doctors were on duty in many wards to treat patients, whose footfall was like a normal day.