Doctors call off strike, TN govt says it will consider demands

After striking work for a week, government doctors in Tamil Nadu affiliated to the Federation of Government Doctors Association on Friday called off the agitation pressing a four-point charter of demands including time-bound promotions.

FOGDA, an umbrella outfit of five associations, said it has withdrawn the stir considering the assurance from the government that its demands will be considered.

The strike had affected inpatient, outpatient services and elective surgeries across Tamil Nadu. However, emergency services were however affected in State-run hospitals due to the strike.

"Both Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Health Minister C Vijayabaskar have assured that our demands will be considered and we have withdrawn our strike," an FOGDA representative said.

The federation said measures announced by the government like transfers and break in service for doctors who struck work should be revoked.

Welcoming and thanking doctors for resuming work, the Health Minister said, "the break in service order is withdrawn."
In a statement, the Minister said, "in accordance with the assurance of Chief Minister K Palaniswami the fair demands of the government doctors will be considered sympathetically."