BANGALORE: Most of the 911 doctors who submitted their resignations on Monday returned to work on Tuesday, bringing relief to patients across the state.
The doctors had resigned from their posts over the government’s alleged failure to meet their 14-point charter of demands.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here on Tuesday that he would meet the doctors on Wednesday and try to resolve the issue.
Maintaining that suspending work would bring disrepute to both the government and the doctors, the CM said, “The government is open to hearing their grievances and solving their problems.”
Appealing to the doctors to withdraw their two-day-old stir, he said that “the government will not accept the resignations in the interests of the smooth functioning of health services”.
“Solutions can be hammered out through talks,” Siddaramaiah added.
Health Minister U T Khader, who was present, said, “I have had talks with the doctors’ association members and am confident of resolving the issue.”
Back to Normal
Government hospitals across the state saw near-normal staff strength. Basha, a scrap dealer from Someshwarnagar in Bangalore, who was worried about doctors not being present, was relieved as he was able to consult a doctor at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.
“We had to rush my 10-year-old daughter to hospital as she had severe stomach ache. We were worried that she may not get treatment due to the strike. However, we didn’t face any problem as a doctor attended to her,” said Basha.