The Hindu : Front Page : Government doctors call off day-old strike

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Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006

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Government doctors call off day-old strike

Special Correspondent

Seven persons involved in attack on Visakhapatnam doctor arrested

VICTIM OF MOB FURY: Casualty Medical Officer Bangaraiah, who was injured in a mob attack at KGH in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, being brought to NIMS in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors' Association has called off the day-old strike following the arrest of seven persons involved in the assault of a doctor at King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, initiation of proposals to improve security and an assurance that cases will not be booked against doctors under Section 304 A (causing death by rash and negligent act).

The decision was announced at a press conference addressed jointly by Health Minister K Rosaiah and APGDA office-bearers here on Tuesday. Doctors in KGH are also likely to end their strike.

Earlier, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and leaders of various political parties jointly appealed to doctors to call off their agitation which paralysed the functioning of Government hospitals during the day.

D. Rangananth, APGDA secretary-general, said that doctors had unanimously decided to resume all services immediately following "accomplishment" of the main demand of arresting the accused persons.

He said the `protest' by doctors was being called off in view of the Government's assurance to issue orders not to apply section 304 A, initiation of measures to strengthen security and provision of medicare and service protection to Bangaraiah, who was assaulted at the hospital.

He stated that the Government had decided to strengthen security by deploying police outposts at district headquarters, teaching and other hospitals with a head constable and three constables under control of the hospital administration.

Call to KGH doctors

The association requested doctors of KGH to immediately resume emergency services on humanitarian grounds.

Principal Secretary in-charge (Health) C. B. S. Venkataramana said Dr. Bangaraiah was airlifted to the city and admitted to NIMS, where his condition was stable.

Mr. Rosaiah said the GO on non-application of Section 304 A to doctors would be issued in the next few days. Describing the attack as `unfortunate', he urged KGH doctors to resume duty. Asked about allegations of negligence by KGH doctor, he said an inquiry was on and findings were awaited.

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