Junior doctors' strike continues to affect hospitals across J-K

Srinagar, Oct 22(ANI): The indefinite strike by more than 4000 junior doctors in Jammu and Kashmir has severely affected the routine patient service of several hospitals in the state.

In Srinagar's SMHS Hospital, where at least 10 surgeries are usually performed in a day, no operation has been carried out in the past one week as junior doctors have kept themselves away from hospital due to a tiff over pay anomalies.

Merajudin Ahmad, spokesman of the Junior Doctors Association said: "From the time to the Government has implemented 6th pay commission, that was from February 2009, the resident doctors have been neglected."

"The resident doctors in Jammu and Kashmir are getting Rs. 8000 per month and the scales of pay commission are not implemented here. Our other demand is that the in service doctors should be brought back into Band-3." Ahmad added.

Meanwhile, in the State's only bone and joint hospital, the situation is similarly grim.

The outdoor patients care has been worst affected. But, senior doctors have been performing surgeries on emergency cases.

"The doctors should treat patients nicely as the whole of northern Kashmir is passing through difficult time. Patients and their relatives are going through tough times," said Abdul Salaam Lone, a relative of a patient. (ANI)