Safdarjung doctors end indefinite strike

Resident doctors of Safdarjung hospital today called off their "indefinite strike" on the second day after receiving "firm assurances" from top officers of the Union Health Ministry that all their demands, including new hostels, will be met.
"We are immediately joining back to our duties after firm assurance given by the Union Health secretary and other officials to meet our demands," Resident Doctors Association spokesperson Dr Sameer Prabhakar said.
Apart from demands of regular salary to interns, availability of potable water in wards and enhanced security in campus, he said, the officials have also proposed three- four alternative plans to construct new hostels for resident doctors.

"They have also proposed some interim accommodation arrangements. We are satisfied with the assurances and decided to join our duties," he said.
Resident doctors of Safdarjung hospital had launched a 'non-cooperation movement' yesterday by going on mass leave for an indefinite period, second time in the past one week.
The doctors had gone on mass leave on Wednesday last week also but called off their strike the following day after the Union Health Ministry promised them that their grievances would be addressed by Tuesday.
They, however, again went on mass leave yesterday alleging that the authorities had failed to meet their demands.

Safdarjung PRO S N Makwana confirmed that the resident doctors had joined their duties after meeting with senior ministry officials.