End strike today or face action: Rajasthan govt warns agitating doctors

Jaipur: The Vasundhara Raje-led government in Rajasthan on Friday warned the state's agitating doctors to end their strike and return to duty by 7 pm.

According to reports, the Raje government has also warned that strict actions will be taken against those who fail to comply with its orders.

The health services in four districts of Rajasthan have taken a plunge after over 8,000 government doctors in Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar districts went on strike on Monday over various demands.

The agitating doctors are associated with the All Rajasthan State In-Service Doctors Association.

Patients in district hospitals, community and primary health centres in rural areas had to be shifted to private hospitals for treatment due to the strike.

However, some doctors at Kota and Jhalawar medical colleges stayed away from the strike. 

Health department officials said that 31 doctors from Kota medical college have been sent to hospitals in Baran, Bundi and Rampura, while AYUSH doctors are providing healthcare services to the patients at community and primary health centres.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of All Rajasthan In Service Doctors Association Dr Durga Shankar Saini said they were forced to go on strike as the state government did not pay heed to their 33-point demand. 

“These demands are not in the interest of the doctors but for improvement of medical and healthcare facilities that would eventually be beneficial for the patients,” he claimed.

The doctors are ready to call off the strike if the state government gives a written assurance that their demands would be met, he had said earlier.

Doctors from the Army and the Indian Railways have extended their help in maintaining medical service in view of the government doctors' strike.