Delhi: One patient dies as govt hospital doctors go on strike over salaries and allowance

One patient died at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital (LNJP) on Thursday after doctors from Delhi government hospitals went on a strike demanding an increase in their salaries and allowances, on Thursday. The doctors have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from 1 June if their demands are not fulfilled.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), an umbrella organisation of 15,000 resident doctors across 41 government hospitals in the national capital, has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to revise the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission that they said were "particularly discriminating to doctors", reported The Times of India.

"We will be on strike tomorrow for a day. If our demands are not fulfilled even after that, we will go on indefinite strike from June 1," said Dr Narayan Dabas, Convenor, FORDA.

Hundreds of patients across all Delhi government hospitals have been facing huge difficulties following the strike.

According to TOI, Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry Arun Panda on Thursday met with Medical Superintendents of RML, Lady Hardinge, and Safdarjung hospitals and later said, "Our hospitals have put in place contingency plans so that all emergencies, trauma cases are taken care of."

"Senior doctors will handle the situation tomorrow. We are still trying to make them (FORDA) see reason. RML has cancelled all leave. Senior doctors have been asked to come and attend patients. Hospitals think that they can handle the situation. All trauma and emergency will be taken care of. The MS of RML, Lady Hardinge, and Safdarjung have also talked to FORDA," Panda said.