Hyderabad: Junior doctors in Teaching hospitals in Telangana have decided to go on an indefinite strike from Wednesday onwards. Jr doctors decided to go on strike after talks failed with Health Department officials on Wednesday.

Nearly 6K Covid – 19 patients admitted to various teaching Government hospitals in the State. The Jr doctors are going on strike since the Government could not give them any assurance on their four main demands, which they said were intended to improve the working conditions of healthcare workers.

The students, who are also supported by other healthcare workers, are demanding the Government to issue a GO that provides exgratia for martyred healthcare workers and allotment of a separate hospital in the State where healthcare workers and their families could avail free Covid – 19 treatments.

Their other demands include release of incentives promised by the Government with retrospective effect from January 2020, and not from January 2021

Jr docs to boycott ICUs if demands are not met

       The Telangana Junior Doctors Association in a press released said, we will boycott non Covid – 19 emergencies and Covid ICUs as well, if our demands are not considered by May 28^th. Jr doctors boycotted all non Covid – 19 electives except emergencies, furthermore, all Covid – 19 related electives except ICU and Critical Care units will also be boycotted, from 9 am on May 26^th.

DME wrote a letter to all hospitals to make do with the permanent staff and to get ready to work extra hours to avert any possible crisis.  Principals, Superintendents of teaching hospitals and allied hospitals under the control of DME are directed to make necessary arrangements in view of the boycott of services.