Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Oct 26: The government medical officers of the state have decided to tender their resignations en masse, if the government fails to accede to their demands by November 2.
It may be recalled that the medical officers, who are on a warpath with the government on the issue of settling various pending demands, had postponed their drastic action last time, because of the unexpected floods.
On Sunday October 24, the State Government Medical Officers Association conducted a meeting again. President of the Association, Dr H N Ravindra, noted that most of the medical officers from the Association have provided health services to the flood-affected people out of humanitarian concern. He expressed the apprehension that the government might choose not respond to the problems of the medical officers, in the guise of the flood havoc. “There is no question of dithering from our earlier stand. The meeting decided that the medical officers will go to the office of the commissioner of health services located at Anand Rao Circle on November 3 morning to submit resignations en masse," he explained.
The chief secretary of the government has convened a meeting at 4 pm on Tuesday October 27, to discuss the demands. On the next day, the office bearers of the Association will meet the Chief Minister. If no positive indications are received at these two meetings, the medical officers will not continue in the government services. There are no differences of opinion among the doctors about the tendering of resignations. Plans have already been concluded towards handling the post-resignation scenario, he stated.
He strongly objected to the arrest of medical officer of Madikeri district hospital on October 23, relating to the death of a patient there, without conducting any inquiry. Contending that the said arrest was in violation of the Supreme Court directive, he demanded for the suspension of the police officer concerned. Ravindra added that soon, a delegation of the Association will meet the home minister to submit a memorandum, urging for this action.