The BJP in Karnataka has called on the state government to resolve issues raised by doctors as the State Doctors’ Association plans to go on strike starting Thursday. The government has reached out to the Doctors’ Association for a meeting in hopes of finding a resolution through discussions. BJP State General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar highlighted that doctors are demanding improvements in medicine supply, a proper transfer policy, and filling of vacant positions, warning of disruptions to medical services.
In response to the looming strike, concerns were raised in the Assembly by BJP’s Sunil Kumar, emphasizing the gravity of the situation as doctors prepare for an indefinite strike. The president of the Doctors’ Association noted that despite prior warnings about the agitation, the government had not engaged in dialogue with them. The BJP urged the government to refrain from drastic measures like invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and instead opt for dialogue to resolve the issues at hand.
Amidst the growing tension, Congress MLA Ashok M. Pattan expressed worries about the strike’s impact on underprivileged patients reliant on government healthcare facilities. He stressed the importance of immediate talks between the government and doctors to avert a crisis, suggesting a phased approach to address additional concerns. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured that efforts were underway to address the long-standing demands of doctors regarding Cadre & Recruitment (C&R) rules, emphasizing the government’s commitment to finding a solution through dialogue and ongoing discussions.
