The Hindu : Front Page : Minister: ready for more talks with doctors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 11, 2007
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Minister: ready for more talks with doctors

Kochi: Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy has said the government is willing to hold further talks with doctors to redress their grievances.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the Minister said the government was unable to revise the pay scales of MBBS doctors at the entry stage as it could be considered only during the time of pay revision. The government had decided to implement the special administrative cadre which had been a long-standing demand of the doctors. Besides, 66 new posts, including 16 chief consultants and 50 senior consultants, would be created for giving fast track promotion to doctors.

She said that rural service had been made mandatory for government doctors. The house-surgeons had to serve for one year in rural area while the post-graduate candidates should serve for two years. As many as 500 doctors would be available for rural service from next year. Special allowances for those working in the rural and difficult terrain had also been provided. The Minister said that cell phones would be provided to doctors.

She said the government had not received any complaint about functioning of hospitals was affected since the doctors had gone on strike. The government would look into the staff pattern in government hospitals and take a decision, the Minister said.

She urged the doctors to withdraw the strike and join duty.

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