Resident Doctors To Continue Protest As Talks With Health Minister Fail To Break Deadlock

NEET-PG 2021 Counselling: The AIIMS Delhi Resident Doctors Association (RDA) has decided to call off the strike.

Doctors protest at Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday (PTI)

New Delhi: After Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya urged protesting resident doctors to call off their strike, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) said protests against the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling would continue until their three demands were met by the government.

"Firstly, we want the concerned authorities to ensure that we should get a date for counselling right after the Supreme Court's hearing on January 6 concludes. Secondly, we want an apology from the authorities as the police manhandled the doctors. Thirdly, we want the withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters," FORDA president Dr Manish said while addressing the press.

As of now, the strike against the delay in NEET 2021 counselling will continue, says President of FORDA, Dr Manish after holding a meeting with all RDAs. pic.twitter.com/5Kg41YVMh3

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2021

However, the AIIMS Delhi Resident Doctors Association (RDA) has decided to call off the strike. The AIIMS Delhi RDA has also said that all the services that were withdrawn would continue from Wednesday.

"Assuring the NEET PG 2021 counselling to be held at the earliest...AIIMS Delhi RDA has decided to take back the decision of strike on December 29. All services to be continued as normal...," a statement released by AIIMS Delhi RDA said.

READ | Health Minister Urges Protesting Doctors To Call Off Strike

Earlier in the day, a 12-member delegation of the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) met Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Mandaviya said the government was unable to proceed with the counselling because the case was being heard by the Supreme Court.

"I held a meeting with all resident doctors. We're not able to do the counselling because the matter is sub-judice before Supreme Court. The hearing will take place on Jan 6. I hope that NEET PG counselling will start soon," Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya told ANI.

#WATCH| I held a meeting with all resident doctors. We're not able to do the counselling because the matter is sub-judice before Supreme Court. The hearing will take place on Jan 6. I hope that NEET PG counselling will start soon: Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya pic.twitter.com/LixcUWWHcx

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2021

The agitation, led by the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association, entered its 12th day on Tuesday, even as patient care remained affected at three Centre-run facilities -- Safdarjung, RML and Lady Hardinge hospitals and some of the Delhi government-run hospitals.

On Monday, FORDA said that several of its members were "detained" when they tried to hold a protest march from Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) to Supreme Court.

The NEET-PG examination was postponed in 2021 owing to Covid-19, and the counselling and admission procedure has also been postponed. As a result of the delay, resident doctors are being asked to work extended hours under stressful conditions, resulting in a significant personnel shortage.

(With inputs from ANI)