New Delhi: The federation of resident doctors’ associations has threatened to intensify its agitation across India unless their demand for immediately starting admissions to first year of postgraduate (PG) medical courses is met.
The doctors, who have been agitating for almost a fortnight, plan to withdraw from all services in government and civic hospitals if a quick solution is not found.
A solution is unlikely in the next few days as a Supreme Court has stayed fresh PG admissions until January 6.
“Multiple delays and postponement of admissions has resulted in no fresh intake of PG residents in 2021, despite the country facing one of the worst phases of the pandemic. Our agitation began with the nationwide withdrawal from outpatient department (OPD) services on December 9, but with no concrete measures taken by appropriate authorities, we will once again be forced to opt for withdrawal of all services in medical institutes,” stated a letter addressed to the Union Health ministry, and signed by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) India.
The agitating doctors have complained about additional pressure on two batches of resident doctors, instead of three, during these testing times when cases of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron are rising.
“At a time when the country is witnessing the rise of a new COVID variant, the least that needs to be done is strengthening the healthcare system and we need all hands on deck,” the doctors say.
NEET-PG 2021 exam was postponed several times due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic before being finally conducted in September. However, admissions have been stayed. The apex court is currently hearing several petitions filed by students questioning validity of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Other Backward Castes (OBC) quota implementation in all India quota seats.
“The onus of any unfortunate incident due to withdrawal from services will be on the concerned authorities. We sincerely hope such a situation does not arise,” a FORDA representative said.
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