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Doctors Demand End to 24-Hour Shifts After MLA's Viral Video
2 Oct
Summary
- Doctor duty system reform is sought following a viral video.
- Doctors argue 24-hour duty is inhuman and should be replaced.
- Associations warn of protests if doctors face further targeting.
A viral video of a TVK MLA conducting a midnight inspection at Eral Government Hospital has triggered a strong response from government doctors' associations. They are now calling for the abolition of the 24-hour duty system, advocating instead for a rotational duty system.
The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association stated that there is no official government order mandating 24-hour duty. They emphasized that doctors handle emergency cases during their shifts and urged the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services to implement a shift system immediately, terming the current practice 'slow killing'.
The Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association condemned the MLA's actions, including filming and publicly blaming a doctor on duty without considering the circumstances. They asserted that a resting doctor, while available for emergencies, is not negligent. The association urged the government to issue guidelines for a regulated rotational duty system.
These associations have warned that further incidents targeting doctors or healthcare workers could lead to immediate protests, including a boycott of work. The demands underscore a growing concern for the welfare of government doctors and the need for improved working conditions.
