Doctors at all six Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) hospitals have decided to continue their silent agitation against the hospital administration department of the civic body till all their demands are met. Of the many grievances the doctors have put forward, transparency in MCD doctors transfer policy and revision of allowances top the list.

Doctors from all six MCD hospitals – Kasturba Hospital, RBTB Hospital, Bara Hindu Rao Hospital, MVID Hospital, Swami Dayanand Hospital and GL Maternity Hospital – went on strike from 16th August for three weeks. Unhappy with the progress made by the concerned department, the doctors have decided to continue with the strike. They would, however, not disrupt the out-patient-department of the hospitals and would continue treating patients.

“We will not shut the OPD as we do not want the patients to suffer. It is against our commitment as doctors. Besides, dengue cases are on a rise in the city. It all depends on the authority’s reponse. If they do not take timely action, then we will be forced to aggravate our strike,” said Dr Kiran, president, Municipal Corporation Doctors’ Association (MCDA). 

The civic body has not yet implemented the orders of the sixth pay commission which was released in 2008, said Dr Kavita. She added that hospitals do not follow timely and fair promotion procedure which creates discrepancy in seniority among the doctors.

“Senior doctors take orders from junior doctors who have less experience. This practice is humiliating. Doctors who enter through the general body cadre of doctors are given step-motherly treatment,” she said.

The MCD doctors have been continuing their fight to bring transparency in the working in the hospitals for the past five years, but to no use. 

Meanwhile, the MCD hospital administration director Madhu Jain did not comment on the issue and disconnected the phone when contacted.

The MCDA will have a general body meeting on Thursday where they will decide how to proceed with the protest.