Junior docs boycott OPD at GMC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 29

Postgraduate students-cum-junior resident doctors of Government Medical College (GMC) boycotted out-patient department (OPD) services here on Monday alleging inordinate delay in the joining of new batch of PG students. The protest was organised as part of the nationwide call by junior residents on the issue.

They said initially the NEET-PG examination, which generally was conducted during the months of January-February, was delayed till April and then again till September. They alleged that presently due to a court case regarding EWS (economically weaker sections) quota, the counselling has further been delayed as a result of which the new batch had not joined yet.

The PG students who double up as JRs are the backbone and face of medical services at the medical college as they remain present at the wards and attend to other duties. Generally, the new batch joins the medical colleges by May-June.

The PG third-year students alleged that if the PG first year batch becomes available on time, they can be relieved in November- December so that they can focus on their final exams.

“The PG final-year students are unable to focus on the academics as the PG strength is short by 33 per cent. Now the PG second year and PG third year students have to perform all the work,” said another student.

They claimed that without going into the merits or demerits of EWS case, they request the concerned authorities to expedite the process so that the new batch joins the college at the earliest. The JRs threatened that the protest would be further intensified if the government failed to resolve the issue at the earliest.