Gujarat resident doctors strike over bond service issue ends

The strike by scores of resident doctors from five government-run medical colleges in Gujarat over a bond service issue has ended now after the government promised a resolution to their demands.

Nearly 4000 post-graduate medical students were on strike in Gujarat since June 15, now they have ended their strike after the government promised a resolution to their demands. 

The PG students who have completed their MD and MS courses were demanding that the government must waive off their mandatory one-year bond services period and equate the bond period service with senior residency duration owing to their service in Covid-19 wards.

The Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) decided to call off the strike after meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, health minister Rushikesh Patel and other senior health department officials.

JDA of BJ Medical College (BJMC) issued a statement that stated, “JDA BJMC are withholding our satyagraha in the faith of assurance from Chief Minister and health minister. We will join our duties from 28/06/2022, 8:00 am. This positive step is aimed at patient care, not in fear of strict actions to be taken by authority. Hoping for a positive response from the government,” as reported by Indian Express.

The background

On June 18 and 21, the health department issued notices that rejected the students' demands and ordered them to vacate the hostel premises with immediate effect but the students did not vacate the premises and remained adamant about their demands.

Due to mandatory rule, the PG students from government medical colleges sign bonds to either serve for one year at government-run health centres in rural areas or pay INR 40 lakh to the health department.

Read more:

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