AIIMS doctors write to PM Modi: Put on white apron for a day to understand our pressure

In a first such uproar by resident doctors of AIIMS over poor infrastructure and degrading healthcare system, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “live” their life for a day to understand their stress. The move comes after several doctors in Rajasthan were arrested after they had warned of indefinite strike if their demands of higher salary and promotions were not met. Pre-empting a law and order situation, the state government invoked the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) for three months after the threat by All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors’ Association. In a letter to Modi, the RDA urged the PM to understand the tremendous pressure on doctors at government hospitals due to the poor infrastructure and misbehaviour of patient’s kin during emergency situations. “We are lucky to have an active PM like you… Now RDA AIIMS requests you to put (on) white apron and spend one day as a government doctor to understand the tremendous amount of pressure we face, the agony of patients who did not get treatment, the dying healthcare system due to lack of resources and infrastructure,” AIIMS RDA president Harjit Singh Bhatti wrote in the letter. He said it would also set an example to ministers who level allegations against doctors for cheap publicity. “Your one day as a government doctor can be a turning point for the healthcare system as it will restore faith in the medical profession,” the letter read. “Rajasthan doctors are on strike from December 16, this strike is helplessness rather than intentional because the state government arrested 86 doctors by imposing RESMA,” read the letter. “Their demands were previously accepted by the Rajasthan government but now they refuse to fulfil them, resulting in mistrust and anguish among the hardworking doctors. Please instruct the Rajasthan government to fulfil their promises and stop all atrocities against doctors,” it said. Source: Indian Express