The resident doctors say the BS Yediyurappa government needs to wake up soon and consider the issues raised by them seriously.
Resident doctors in Karnataka are set to hold a 'symbolic protest' on Monday to remind the state government of the deficiencies in medical education department.
The doctors say the BS Yediyurappa government needs to wake up soon and consider the issues raised by them seriously.
What the doctors are demanding
The resident doctors say that over the last nine months they have been withstood the pandemic and dedicated themselves to the service of the people.
However, they say that the state government had not yet resolved the 7 key issues raised by them. These include:
Issue 1: The state's largest tertiary care centre, Victoria Hospital which caters services to the entire city of Bangaluru and its neighbouring districts and states, has been shut down since the last 9 months. Despite sharp decline in cases, there has been no signs of starting non-Covid services even after multiple requests to authorities.
Issue 2: All medical colleges across Karnataka be converted to non-Covid Hospitals. This will benefit the general population as well as the medical students. Even National
Medical Commission has provided instructions to have non-covid services in medical college-affliated hospitals.
Issue 3: Since the last 9 months, postgraduates, house surgeons and undergraduates have been involved in Covid-related activities. There have been no proper clinical academic activities happening statewide. Hence, an appeal for exemption from academic fees for the year 2020-21
Issue 4: In recognition of the services provided during Covid pandemic, Covid risk allowance to be given to all residents, interns and under graduates who did COVID duty
Issue 5: Senior residents who have been working in various institutes as a part of their compulsory bond have not been paid their rightful salary in many institutes since their
joining. Post graduates in Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Orthopaedics and Indira Gandhi Institute Of Child Health have not been paid their revised stipend since the past 6 months.
Issue 6: House surgeons have been working tirelessly for Covid care. NEET PG as well as MBBS exams have been postponed. There is uncertainity hovering around the current batch house surgeon regarding extension of internship. As per the MBBS curriculum, internship has to be of 365 days only. No extension even by a single day should be considered.
Issue 7: Statewide medical colleges have started since December 1. However, there is a lack of clinical materials. Medical College hospitals have to be converted to non covid hospitals and reserve other general hospitals for COVID service