Pondicherry: An estimated 350 resident doctors and around 375 students of the Centrally administered JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) in Pondicherry, who went on a 48-hour long strike since Tuesday, continued the agitation on Wednesday to protest against the introduction of the 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in higher educational institutions.

They also continued with their programme to simultaneously fast on the institute premises. However, around 150 striking doctors and students donated blood at the hospital's blood bank to show their commitment and concern for patients. "Our intention is not to cause hardship to the patients as had been wrongly understood by some sections," said one of the doctors. The hospital's out-patient department could not provide services. The patient turnout at the Government General Hospital here consequently rose beyond the usual number, as patients who went to JIPMER had to go there.

The emergency and casualty wings and the intensive care units in JIPMER functioned as usual.

The striking doctors and students signed individually on a 20 metre long cloth to register their protest, which would be sent to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to seek his intervention in the issue. A section of the striking students argued for economic criterion for reservation, rather than on that on the basis of caste or community.

Against social justice

The Pondicherry-based Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) has called upon the Centre to initiate action against the striking JIPMER doctors and students. TPDK president Loku Ayyappansaid the strike had thrown out of gear the routine health care and health delivery services in JIPMER.

The strike was a challenge to the principle of social justice and went against the Constitution. Mr. Ayyappan said that it was a pity that the Centre had not taken any action so far against the doctors and students. He said he had sent telegrams to the Prime Minister and Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss in this regard.

The employees and workers of JIPMER who are affiliated to the JIPMER Staff Other Backward Class Welfare Association would stage a demonstration around noon at the reception block in the hospital campus on Thursday to urge the Centre to bring in an ordinance to enforce the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher educational institutions.

Association president P. Tamilvanan said in a release on Wednesday that the demonstration, which would have the support of the JIPMER Employees and Hospital Employees Unions, would also seek the adoption of a resolution by the Pondicherry Government on the floor of the House to extend support to the quota.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail