Doctors' demands genuine, should have been addressed earlier: Kejriwal

New Delhi, Jun 22: With over 2,000 doctors of Delhi hospitals launching an indefinite strike, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said most demands of the striking doctors are "genuine" and that he has directed the Health Department to implement them.

The striking doctors of 20 hospitals run by the central and Delhi governments and civic corporations have been demanding adequate supply of life saving drugs, security at workplace, fixed duty hours and timely payment of their salaries. [Delhi: Over 20,000 resident doctors in 25 govt hospitals go on strike]

"Most demands of striking doctors genuine. I have directed Health Department to implement them. Health Department should have resolved it earlier (sic)," Kejriwal said on Twitter.

In another tweet, Kejriwal said that his government was committed to providing best health facilities to the citizens.

"This government is committed to providing best health facilities to masses. It cannot be done without cooperation of doctors," he tweeted.

Resident doctors at 20 Delhi hospitals Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College today launched the indefinite strike.

"The strike will affect OPD and private ward services but emergency services will not be interrupted," said a senior resident doctor at Lady Hardinge Medical College.

According to a senior Delhi Government official, Health Minister Satyendar Jain had called the doctors for talks yesterday but they failed to make it. He has again invited them today for talks on the issues.

Most demands of striking docs genuine. I hv directed health dept to implement them. Health dept shud hv resolved it earlier 1/2

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 22, 2015

This govt is committed to providing best health facilities to masses. It cannot be done without cooperation of docs 2/2

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 22, 2015

Why aren't docs coming for talks? They were first invited on sat, then sun and then at 3 pm today. They r not showing up. Baat to karo.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 22, 2015

PTI