BANGALORE: Over 900 doctors in the state submitted their resignations on Monday after the government refused to yield to their quit threat. Their charter of 14 demands include increase in salaries, regular supply of medicines, filling of vacant posts and proper work hours.
Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader said all the 911 doctors who resigned were expected to join duty on Tuesday as their service conditions stipulated that they continued to be in service till the resignations were accepted.
“Tomorrow all the doctors are supposed to report to their respective hospitals. If they fail to do so, they will be issued showcause notices and action will be taken as per rules,” Khader said.
In the morning, the doctors staged a protest saying that they were unhappy with the work conditions. Though the government claimed that the doctors’ move had no impact, health services in some hospitals in Bangalore were affected as scores of doctors joined the protest. Reports from districts too said that health services in government hospitals were hit.
Meanwhile, the state government has readied a contingency plan. Khader held a meeting with representatives of private medical colleges, private nursing homes and NGOs like Lions Club and Rotary Club to utilise the services of private doctors in government hospitals. This is apart from stretching the services of Ayush doctors.
Khader also said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would hold talks with the protesting doctors on Tuesday or Wednesday.