Close to 1000 elective surgeries and outpatient services have been delayed in state hospitals, as government doctors continued their protest for the 15th day on Thurday.
According to the Times of India, some of the surgeries that doctors have deferred are hernia repair, tonsillectomy, procedures for hemorrhoids (piles), hydroceles (painless swelling in the genital area) and cataract operations. Physicians in Government hospitals however continue consultation in case of emergencies and for certain elective procedures.
"They (Pending surgeries) will continue to pile up till the government listens to what we have to say and takes action," Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) president Dr K Senthil told ToI. TNGDA reportedly has around 15,500 members.
Reports suggest that the strike has even severely affected patients who come to Chennai from other parts of taste for simple tests.
These protests by doctors’ association began after a recent order of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court that overruled the process followed by Tamil Nadu in calculation of incentive marks for in-service doctors in remote or hilly areas during PG admissions.
In its April 17 order, the Madras High Court ordered that the Tamil Nadu government provide 30% incentive marks to ‘in-service’ candidates, who served in hilly or remote areas.
As per the TN regulations for PG admissions that have been in force for several years, candidates working in rural areas were given one mark for every year of service, two marks for ever year of service in hilly and remote areas, limited to a maximum of 10 marks.
However, the court struck down the state regulations, and instead upheld MCI’s regulations awarding up to 30% of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) score as incentive in PG admissions.