10k docs call off stir after talks with govt

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Government Doctors Forum (

GGDF

) has decided to call off their strike that was to begin from Thursday following several rounds of discussions with the health department officials. Around 10,000 doctors had planned to go on strike from January 20. The decision has come as a much-needed respite for the government at a time when the state is grappling with a record-breaking surge in Covid-19 cases. The government held a series of meetings late night on Wednesday and through Thursday to try and avert a situation that could cripple the health administration. This is the third time in the last two years that the doctors have called off their strike upon assurance from the government that their demands would be met. Unlike the previous times, where the government did not come out with a notification approving their list of demands, GGDF members are confident that the situation will be different this time around. “One of the reasons is that in-service, GMERS and Gujarat Medical Teachers’ Association (GMTA) doctors came under the umbrella organization of GGDF to collectively voice their demands. We are sure the government will surely meet all our demands,” said a

GMTA

member. The state government has decided to form a three-member committee comprising health minister

Rushikesh Patel

, finance minister Kanubhai Desai and road, building and transport minister

Purnesh Modi

, said Dr

Rajnish Patel

, president of the association. He said that the government committee has sanctioned and solved all the issues raised by GMTA, GMERS and other doctors who had joined the protests. GGDF has been protesting reduction in salaries and pressing for their other pending demands