A day after the Madras High Court suggested the State government impose Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on protesting doctors, the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, the primary organisation leading the strike, has informed the court that they have decided to call off the protests.
Taking their assurance on record, the Vacation Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and V. Parthiban asked about the decision of other associations. “If they have not withdrawn the strike, and if any doctor has not reported back to work, it is for the State to take action against them in accordance with law,” the Bench said.
Special government pleader Rajagopalan responded that the government is sincerely trying to settle the issue amicably.
The issue pertains to strike staged by doctors affiliated to Tamil Nadu Doctors Association and other organisations, including the in-service candidates of PG medical courses, against the implementation of Medical Council of India (MCI) Regulations in the admission process.
On Friday – 17th day of the strike, advocate A.K. Velan approached the high court through a public interest litigation (PIL) petition claiming that the doctors cannot be allowed to continue the protest as it would adversely affect the public, particularly the poor.
Noting that the doctors should bear in mind that their strike will affect the society as a whole, particularly poor patients who entirely depend upon the public healthcare system, the judges said, the services rendered by the doctors is human service and their timely attendance and treatment saves many lives and they should realise the importance of their profession to the society and their services cannot be substituted by any other professionals.
