Chennai: Over 50 government doctors, including 20 women, recently staged a protest at the DME office in Chennai under the banner of the Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors (LCC). They demanded the implementation of Pay Band IV, as per Government Order 354, along with addressing several other grievances.

Dr. S. Perumal Pillai,
president of the LCC, emphasized that the protest aimed to draw the attention
of the Chief Minister and press the government to address their long-standing
demands. Apart from salary revisions, the protesting doctors also raised
concerns regarding postgraduate medical students across Tamil Nadu, calling for
better working conditions, weekly leave, regulated duty hours, and improved
accommodation facilities.Also Read:’Dropped Like a Hot Potato!’ Madras HC Slams Govt, Orders Inclusion of Doctor in Dean Selection PanelTheir other demands
included a government job for the wife of the Late Dr Vivekanandan who died in
service during the COVID pandemic, Weekly leaves for postgraduate medical
students across Tamil Nadu and appointment of doctors and nurses according to
the number of population and patients in government hospitals.

In a press release, the
association pointed out, “Even after the court directed the state government to
provide a government job to Ms. Divya – wife of the late Dr Vivekanandan, who
died in service during the COVID pandemic – the family did not get justice. We
believe that our Chief Minister will not want the family of the doctor who died
fighting to save the people to continue shedding tears.”

Talking to Medical
Dialogues, Dr. S. Perumal Pillai stated, “Similarly, in 2019, the then Leader
of the Opposition, Mr. M.K. Stalin, came in person to support the fasting
protest of government doctors. He swore to the doctors that the pay demand
would be fulfilled when the DMK government came to power. But it has not been
fulfilled yet.” “In other words, we do
not expect the GO 354 issued during Kalaignar M Karunanidhi’s leadership to be
ignored during the DMK government. Why is Kalaignar’s GO 354 not implemented
when the son is the Chief Minister and the grandson is the Deputy Chief Minister?”
he added.Also Read:RG Kar Protest leader transferred to DarjeelingThe association pointed
out that postgraduate medical students who work like machines all year round
should be given adequate weekly rest and recognition. They should also be
provided with accommodation facilities. Moreover, the association stated that the
infrastructure of the health sector is not buildings, construction experts or
equipment, the doctors and nurses who are working to save lives are the
infrastructure. “The Minister of Health
says that the number of patients in government hospitals has more than doubled.
But why not increase the number of doctors, nurses, and medical staff
accordingly? How can medical services be provided to the people easily?” the
association stated.

The association has pledged
to ensure that all postgraduate medical students get weekly rest,
proper working hours and accommodation facilities. “We are completely sure in
the demand that the government doctors who save lives should be given Pay Band
4 in 12 years as per Government Order 354, which also respects the sacrifice of
Dr. Lakshmi Narasimhan. We are sure in
the demand that Ms Divya – wife of Late Dr. Vivekanandan, who died in service
during the COVID pandemic – should be given a government job immediately,” the
association stated.