Strike postponed

With effect from 8 AM today, the strike has been postponed till the end of the elections.

In a meeting last night, Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas, in the presence of the Dean of BJ Medical College, the Superintendent of Civil Hospital, and the Director of PG courses, NHL, gave as his assurance that our demands will be met at earliest after the elections.

We have unanimously decided to postpone the strike till the end of elections. All resident doctors shall resume duties from 8 AM today.

PRESS NOTE FOR 4/3/09.

GUJARAT ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS(G.A.R.D) ON INDEFINITE STRIKE FOR STIPEND HIKE.
PRESS NOTE FOR 4/3/09.
TODAY IS DAY 4 OF OUR INDEFINITE STRIKE. INSPITE OF OUR SUSTAINED EFFORTS, THERE IS NO SIGN OF POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT. THIS LEAVES US WITH NO OPTION OTHER THAN CONTINUING OUR PEACEFUL PROTEST. WE HAVE INVOLVED OURSELVES IN VARIOUS SOCIALLY PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES LIKE BLOOD DONATION CAMPS, CLEANLINESS DRIVES, STREET PLAYS TO EDUCATE THE COMMON MAN ABOUT THE DREADED HEPATITIS- B DISEASE. WE ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO THE COMMON MAN AND WE DEEPLY REGRET IT.
THANKING YOU
G.A.R.D

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Ph:09825560535,9904254455,9824787863,9904065659.

Day Two

ALL GUJARAT JUNIOR DOCTORS ASSOCIATION STRIKE

We, the junior doctors of GUJARAT are on strike with effect from 1st March, 2009 to protest against the measly stipend given to us.
We sincerely look forward to your valuable support to help us fight our genuine cause.
Our peaceful protest shall continue with the same zeal and will only get stronger day by day as it is our strong conviction that this pay hike is much deserved!!

Pics - Day 1

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Day 1

The strike started at 8 AM today morning. All of us got together in a show of solidarity in front of the old blood bank.

In the afternoon, the creative spirits among us enacted a hilarious skit with the theme of the strike.

Our efforts so far...

For the last 3 months, we have been in talks with the authorities regarding an increase in our stipend. All we got for our efforts were verbal assurances. No concrete steps were taken.

As a token of protest against this government apathy, we observed a "Black Ribbon Day".

Finally, with deep regret for the inconvenience this would cause to our patients, we decided to launch a state-wide indefinite strike with effect from 8 AM on 1st March, 2009.

The situation

Let's start with an insight into our life. We are residents or post graduate students pursuing various disciplines. After 5 and a half years of graduation and another couple in passing various entrance exams, we get admitted in PG courses. Hopes abound, of being able to support our family, of being financially independent. By the time we finish our residency, most of us are married, some with a child to nurture. As residents, we look after the welfare of all our patients. We are on duty 24x7, for 3 years on the trot, barely squeezing in time for food, sleep and family. The popular image of doctors, of a life of luxury far from worries, shatters in our faces. We get paid a mere Rs. 13 an hour (Rs. 9623 a month).

In comparison, residents in other states get paid anywhere between Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 47,000 a month. Even class IV workers now get Rs. 12,000 after the 6th pay commission. What a glaring difference!