SC issues notices to all States Medical Councils on doctors' strike

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the medical councils of all the states on a petition seeking action against doctors who go on strike, violating the oath taken by them at the time of joining the profession for never neglecting the patient.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P Sathasivam issued notices following the statement made by Counsel for Medical Council for India (MCI) that only state medical councils can take action against the doctors for violating the oath as the latter are enrolled with their respective state councils.

Petitioner organisation, 'People for Better Treatment', represented by Senior Counsel Dr Rajiv Dhavan as amicus curaie, also sought directions from the court that emergency services in hospitals must be exempted from the strike and must remain functional during the strike.

The counsel for the petitioner also contended that doctors in government hospitals have been fast developing a tendency to go on strike at the drop of a hat, leaving the patients in the lurch which was brazen violation of the oath taken by a doctor at the start of his career. No action has been taken against any doctor till date for violating the oath, he said.

The petitioner also submitted before the court that strike by doctors must be discouraged as it involved the survival of patients who were legally entitled for immediate medical aid and treatment.

UNI AKS/SC GL BST1325