In light of the upcoming NEET PG 2022 examination, which was rescheduled to May 21, 2022, after much delay and deliberation. Doctors have been demanding the delay due to the clash with NEET PG counselling of the preceding academic year. They also elaborated how many of the interns would not be able to participate in PG counselling before May/June 2022. Upon consideration, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, directed NBE to postponed NEET PG 2022 by 6-8 months. The same is now scheduled to be held on May 21, 2022.
In the background of these developments, several doctors had taken part in demonstrations and agitations. However, the ministry had later directed the hospitals to not initiate any disciplinary actions against them. The association has recently, however, alleged mistreatment of these doctors by the institutes and have written to the Union Health Minister.
The Federation of Resident Doctor Association India (FORDA) has written to Health Minister Satyendra Jain, dated February 22, 2022, urging him to take measures regarding the marking of resident doctors as absent and deduction of their salaries and stipends by GTB Hospital and IHBAS despite assurances from the Union health ministry that allegedly claimed: “no punitive or disciplinary action will be taken by Hospital authorities against any Resident Doctor who took part in the agitation.”
The letter signed by the members of the federation read:
“Subject-Punitive action against Resident Doctors of Delhi Government Hospitals who took part in the agitation to Expedite NEET-PG Counselling 2021- Regarding
Respected Sir,
Due to non-admission of fresh batch of Resident Doctors owing to multiple delays & postponement of NEET-PG Counselling 2021, the existing batches of Resident Doctors in healthcare institutions were overworked & exhausted physically as well as mentally which ultimately led to the agitation to Expedite NEET-PG Counselling 2021 from 27 November, 2021 with the participation of thousands of Resident Doctors across the nation. This was an agitation to rejuvenate the healthcare sector of the nation suffering from shortage of adequate workforce of Resident Doctors & received tremendous support from multiple sections of the society. We are extremely grateful to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi who also extended his valuable support to the agitation of Resident Doctors for the genuine cause. Following meeting with Hon’ble Union Health Minister, the agitation was finally called off on 31 December, 2021. During the meeting, along with the assurance of expediting the Counselling & subsequent Admission process, Hon’ble Union Minister also assured that no punitive or disciplinary action will be taken by Hospital authorities against any Resident Doctor who took part in the agitation. However, it is extremely unfortunate that Resident Doctors of certain Delhi Government Hospitals, notably, GTB Hospital & HBAS have been marked Absent during the afore-mentioned period of agitation & their Salaries/Stipends have been deducted. We would hereby request you to kindly take note of the issue mentioned above & take necessary measures for addressing the same at the earliest. Thanking you in anticipation”.
The members of the federation who signed the letter included Dr Manish (President) along with Dr Sunil Duchania and Dr Aditya S (Vice presidents) followed by General Secretary, Dr Kulsaurabh. A response from the Honourable Union Health Minister is yet awaited on the concerned matter.
