Docs strike in MP hospital

Indore, May 26 (UNI) Services were crippled at the local Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital, Madhya Pradesh's largest government-run infirmary, where a strike by junior doctors, protesting against assault by patients' kin on May 18, entered the ninth day today.

While the junior docs were adamant over their demands, the district administration was yet to take solid steps to end the strike.

A Junior Doctors Association spokesman said that demands included arrest of persons who perpetrated the assault besides adequate security in the premises. Meanwhile, rural patients and their relatives are going from pillar to post at the hospital. A child died yesterday and kin alleged that delay in surgery was the cause.

However, Hospital Superintendent C S Kulkarni claimed that the child died of illness while undergoing treatment. ''Alternative arrangements have been made to maintain health services. Discussions are underway with the striking doctors,'' he added.

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