Doctors' group asks Centre to clarify on their demands

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) in Delhi on Friday gave the union health ministry time till July 9 to clarify on the time-frame for the fulfilment of assurances given to them on issues like creation of additional posts and construction of new hostels.

"With great dismay, we write to you that the minutes of the meeting do not reflect the assurances given during the (last) meeting. We felt cheated when we received the minutes," the FORDA said in a memorandum to the ministry.

The resident doctors of 22 government hospitals in Delhi went on strike on June 22-23 on the issues of security and overall healthcare facilities in the capital's government hospitals. They returned to work after a series of meetings with the state and central governments.

According to the memorandum, no time-frame was given regarding the provision of permanent security measures, creation of additional post of resident doctors, construction of new hostels for senior residents, for the hiring of alternative accommodation for residents.

"... we want a deadline from the ministry when and how the promises will be fulfilled. We would also like to ask them why few assurances did not reflect in the minutes of the meeting... If we do not get any positive reply from them within two weeks, then we'll be forced to go on mass leave," FORDA president Pankaj Solanki said.

--Indo-Asian New Service

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