Junior docs call off strike

In what came as a major relief to poor patients the junior doctors called off their indefinite strike barely five hours after paralysing the hospital's functioning on Sunday afternoon.

In what came as a major relief to poor patients the junior doctors called off their indefinite strike barely five hours after paralysing the hospital's functioning on Sunday afternoon.

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They received a written assurance from the MLN Medical College principal for improving the sanitation and water supply condition at the New PG and Married Hostels, within seven days. As demanded, the repair and renovation work also started at both the hostels on Saturday late evening.

After giving a 48-hour notice, the junior doctors went on an indefinite strike from 8 am on Sunday. They paralysed emergency services and also closed indoor admission.

However, five hours later MLN Medical College Principal Dr PC Saxena gave them a written assurance that he would improve sanitation and water supply condition at both the hostels, within a week. Dr Saxena also assured the students of improving the condition of bathrooms and electricity fitting at the PG Hostel. The junior doctors also handed over a notice to the principal announcing that they were firm on their decision to go on indefinite strike, if the work fails to start within seven days.

Principal Dr PC Saxena also inspected the SRN Hospital and PG Hostel and listened to the problems of the inmates.

All through the night the junior engineers, assistant engineers and contractors camped on the SRN Hospital campus and finalised the details of renovation work. "The repair and construction work has started on a war-footing at both the hostels. The engineers of the departments concerned are also camping in the hospital to complete the work within the stipulated period," said JDA president Dr Neeraj.

Dr Neeraj said they decided to call off their indefinite strike at around 1pm after reaching an agreement with the principal that the water crisis and other problems of the inmates would be solved within a week.