Doctors' strike in Rajasthan claims 51 lives

At least 51 deaths have been reported from various parts of Rajasthan, as the doctors strike entered its sixth day in the state on Monday. 

Medical services have been adversely hit by the strike as 3,500 doctors in the state have been off work since Wednesday demanding a pay hike in parity with the central services.

About 400 doctors have been arrested till now for violating the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act clamped by the state government. 

The state's health department is negotiating with the striking doctors

and are hopeful of arriving at a solution soon. 

"We are negotiating with the striking doctors. A solution is likely to be reached soon," said a health department official. 

Nearly 3,500 resident doctors and 20,000 National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) contract employees, along with thousands of in-service doctors, are participating in the strike. 

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has already given direction to the health department to authorise private hospitals to treat patients who are suffering at approved rates during the ongoing strike.