Does government want us to become Naxalites, asks IMA chief

NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday demanded initiation of proceedings for contempt of a Delhi High Court order against the administration of corporation run-Hindu Rao Hospital. The doctors there are on an indefinite hunger strike demanding payment of their salaries. The association called the matter a systematic failure and equated it with a "banana republic."

"The issue of non-payment of salaries of doctors in Hindu Rao Hospital is a case of systemic failure. Doctors who have served the nation during the corona pandemic deserve appropriate accolades and incentives. It defies logic when they have to resort to roadside agitations to get their legitimate salaries," the association stated.

Meanwhile, IMA chief DrRajan Sharma while speaking to IANS, asked whether doctors should turn into Naxalites to claim their right to be paid. "It's a shame that at a time when the pandemic is raging, the doctors are forced to hit the streets, hold placards at places like JantarMantar and Connaught Place to highlight their plight," he said.

Sharma said the Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi government are politicizing the matter rather than approaching the end solution. "MCD claims that the Delhi government has blocked their funds while Delhi government claims that the Centre is not releasing the state's taxes. They are just passing the buck but where would it stop? Someone has to step out and take the responsibility rather than turning the grievances of the doctors into a merry-go-round," he added.

The hospital comes under the aegis of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (North MCD). The hospital resident doctors have been protesting for over two weeks, demanding the release of their salaries pending for over four months now. Five of the resident doctors have been on an indefinite hunger strike since Friday evening. (IANS)

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