17,000 government doctors go on strike in Tamil Nadu, patients suffer

Doctors in Tamil Nadu are on an indefinite strike demanding pay parity and time-bound promotion to be implemented. The move has left several in-patient and out-patients devoid of immediate treatment.   

Chennai: As 17,000 doctors went on an indefinite strike from Friday (October 25) demanding pay parity, thousands of patients in both out- and in- patients department in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu suffered.  

With pay parity with their counterparts in the central government, the doctors are also demanding for non-reduction of the number of doctors and time-bound promotion to be implemented. Meanwhile, DMK President MK Stalin on Friday urged the Tamil Nadu government to hold talks with the striking doctors and find a solution.

Stalin also said despite giving a written representation by the doctors, the government has not acted. He criticised chief minister K Palaniswami for forcing the government doctors to go on protest.

The Opposition leaders in the Tamil Nadu Assembly also urged the striking doctors to hold talks with the government. They also said to find a solution and not to resort to strikes. The striking doctors said media that in-patients would not be attended to unless it is an emergency. The striking doctors, life-saving/medical/surgical emergencies will be attended.