Bhopal: After the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the four-day-long strike by junior doctors in the state as 'illegal', about 3000 junior doctors from across six medical colleges resigned from their posts. They further announced that they would challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court.
About 3000 junior doctors submitted their resignation to the dean of their respective colleges, Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (MPJDA) president Dr Arvind Meena said. Meena further added that the Medical Officers Association and the Federation of Resident Doctors Association would also join their agitation.
In the strike that started on Monday, the junior doctors demanded a hike in stipend and free treatment for them and their families if they contract the infection. Meena also claimed that the state government has already cancelled their enrollment for third-year PG, and they won't be able to attend examinations. They were forced to go on strike after authorities failed to deliver, despite promising to fulfil their demands on May 6, Meena alleged.
The division bench of Chief Justice Mohammed Rafiq Ahmed and Justice Sujoy Paul, while condemning the decision for a strike amidst the pandemic, ruled the strike as illegal and demanded that doctors resume work by 2:30 PM on Friday, failing which strict action would be taken against them.
Madhya Pradesh medical education commissioner Nishant Warwade claimed that Minister of Medical Education Vishvas Sarang had met the association's representatives several times and approved a 17 per cent increase in the stipend of junior doctors in line with the Consumer Price Index. Orders to this effect will be issued soon, he added. The government is also implementing medical insurance schemes, he added. Noting that it is the 'moral duty' of doctors to treat patients, he hoped that the doctors on strike would soon get back.
However, the MPJDA President responded in the negative, saying, "The government has promised to raise the stipend by 24 per cent, and till they raise it to that limit, the strike will continue."