Even after the High Court had given a 48 hour ultimatum to the striking Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) to end strike and join their duties, the doctors association has ignored the HC’s directive and continuing with their strike in Telangana.  

While delivering its earlier reserved order on a PIL filed by a petitioner against the striking doctors, the Hyderabad High Court bench comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta and justice P V Sanjaykumar termed the doctors strike as illegal and had given an ultimatum to the striking Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) in Telangana to join their duties within 48 hours and directed the state government to take legal actions against defying doctors. At the same time the HC has also ordered the state government to immediately look in to all the valid demands of the junior doctors and resolve the matter at the earliest.

Acknowledging the services of medical professionals to the society as a noble service, the high court observed that it is illegal on the part of the doctors to go on an indefinite strike while taking stipend from the government.

With HC’s order, talks held between the Directorate of Health and Medical Education (DME) and JUDA on Wednesday have once again failed. With this the doctors have decided to continue with their strike ignoring the HC order. The doctor’s association said that, “we welcome the HC’s directive and are willing to end the strike but the state government is not showing interest to negotiate with us regarding our demands. As per the court’s orders we are ready to work in the rural areas but at the same time the state government should also take immediate steps to resolve our issues as directed by the court. Until we receive a concrete assurance by the government we will continue with our strike.”

On the other hand, the director of health and medical education has appealed to the junior doctors to resume their duties in the interest of the patients. “We have told the doctors that their demands would be considered and as per the court order and they would be dealt with sympathetically keeping their career in mind,” said Dr P Srinivas, director of health and education.

The court has also observed that if the junior doctors fail to resume duty strictly in accordance with law the government is at liberty to take action against the striking doctors.