Crisis looms in Karnataka as 2,800 doctors submit resignations

At least 2,800 government doctors on Monday submitted their resignation letters in protest against the non-fulfillment of their demands. The meeting between the doctors and the state’s Health Minister UT Khader, remained inconclusive.

Meanwhile, the state government has rejected their resignations and said that 10 out of the 14 demands of the doctors are being met, and therefore, they should withdraw their resignations.

“We have agreed on 10 conditions out of 14. Now, we will give salary of 52 thousands rupees to the MBBS doctors,” Khader said.

He also confirmed that resignations of the doctors have not been accepted.

As per reports, over 1,200 doctors from across the state had assembled at FreedomPark in Bangalore on Monday, under the banner of the Karnataka government medical officers’ association and submitted their resignation letters.

The doctors submitted resignation letters in districts too.

Increase in pay package, filling up of vacancies in government hospitals, fixation of duty hours, appointment of casualty duty doctors and revised transfer policies are some of the demands put forth by the doctors.

There are 4,500 government doctors in the state.

Image: Doctors, working in government hospitals, show their resignation letters during a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Photograph: PTI photo