Chennai, October 28: The strike called by government doctors has entered into its fourth day, with over 16,000 medical practitioners remaining off duty across the state. The agitation was initiated on October 25, demanding the Tamil Nadu government to match their pay scales in accordance with the remuneration granted to the central government doctors. Thousands of Patients Suffer as Tamil Nadu Doctors Go on Strike.

The pay parity call has resonated with government doctors in all parts of the state, who have decided to not to treat the in-patients at state-run hospitals unless the case requires urgent attention. The protesters have also called for a non-reduction of doctors' strength in government hospitals, along with a time-bound implementation of promotions.

The protest was bolstered on Sunday when the Tamil Nadu Medical Students' Association extended support to the doctors' strike. The government, meanwhile, has called upon the medical practitioners to call off their agitation as it is adversely affecting scores of patients.

The Federation of Government Doctors Association (FOGDA), which is spearheading the strike, has accused the E Palaniswamy government of exhibiting apathy towards their plight which forced them to take the extreme measure.

P Balakrishnan, convenor of FOGDA, said they had approached the Chief Minister in September with their list of demands. The Chief Secretary had sought a six-week period from them to look into the demands but did not respond even a month later. This forced at least five doctors to launch an indefinite hunger strike till death, if their demands are not paid heed to.

Balakrishnan said their agitation is not only centred around the pay parity issue, but also against the Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines on the appointment of doctors which has reduced the strength of medical staff at various hospitals. Due to the escalating wordload, 16 stress-related deaths and two suicides have been recorded.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2019 12:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).