Resident doctors of medical colleges in the city who went on a strike on Thursday morning over low stipend said poor pay was not the only issue they want the government to resolve. More pressing is the need to improve living conditions in hostels in all medical colleges in the state. Understandably so, given that some resident doctors in BJ medical college have already fallen prey to TB and hepatitis B infections that thrive in unhygienic conditions. Resident doctors in Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Vadodara and Surat have joined the strike.Working in hospitals, doctors are exposed to many infections, but unhealthy conditions in hostels accentuate the risk of succumbing to illnesses. Resident doctors of BJ medical college complained of leaking ceilings, ill-maintained bathrooms and living areas in the PG hostel. Similar is case at NHL hostel, as also hostels in most medical colleges in the state, the doctors complained.NO ALTERNATIVE CAMPUS OFFEREDSays Dr Vivek Patel, student of BJ medical college and committee member of Gujarat Association of Resident Doctors (GARD), “The hygiene conditions in our hostel are awful. When pointed out, the college authorities ask us to move to another premises without ever providing us an alternative premises. We have no option but to live in the filthy building. No wonder doctors have fallen victim to Hepatitis B and TB. That apart, a lot of them develop fever every now and then.” He said students held a meeting with Health Secretary Ravi Saxena which did not yield any result.
Medicos say they have requested officials to provide them an alternative accommodation several times, but to little availBUILDING A SAFETY HAZARDAM visited the hostel campus to check things out for itself. The hostel block looked worse than a dilapidated chawl. It posed a threat to life; could well crumble in the rains. Chunks of plaster have come off exposing the steel rod framework. The damp walls may just wilt under their own weight.“Problems are too many for us to take. Our committee members met BJ medical authorities, but could not reach a solution over any issue. We have therefore gone on strike since 8 am today. Students at NHL and other colleges in the state are also on strike. We will take out rally on Friday. Resident doctors of BJ and NHL medical college along with those of LG and Shardaben hospitals will start from Civil Hospital and walk up to Subhash Bridge, and later submit a memo to the district collector. We are seeking police permission for the rally,” said Dr Mohabbat Baria.
Resident doctors of medical colleges and hospitals are demanding higher monthly stipend, among other thingsStudent of NHL medical college Dr Maulik Modi said resident doctors at VS Hospital had struck work to press for their demands. “All of us will also take part in the rally on Friday.” Besides better living conditions and higher stipend, students have also sought health insurance, research facilities, predetermined working hours and free medicine. SERVICES UNAFFECTEDAsked about the strike’s affect on medical services, Civil Hospital medical superintendent Dr M M Anchalia said arrangements had been made beforehand, hence treatment to patients had not been affected as of now.

-as given in ahmedabad mirror (times of india) dated 24/07/09