JK medicos's strike enters 18th day

Healthcare system remained paralysed in Jammu and Kathua districts as the strike by agitating junior doctors entered the 18th day today, while medicare facilites were restored in other districts of the region.

Work was badly affected in Government Medical Colleges and other hospitals in the two districts amid demonstrations and chanting of anti-government slogans by the medicos.

However, in other districts of the region, the medicare facilities were restored as doctors resumed their duties today, health department officials said.

Government doctors across the state are on an indefinite strike since October 4 called by the Doctors Joint Action Committee (DJAC), demanding revision in their pay packages.

"The strike would continue till the government does not accept our demands", DJAC spokesperson Neeraj Sharma told reporters today.

The state government constituted a committee comprising Finance minister AR Rather, Health minister SL Sharma, Medical Education minister RS Chib, minister of State for Medical Education Javed Ahmad Dar and advisors to CM, Mubarak Gul and Davender Singh Rana, would take stock of the situation and take appropriate measures so that patient care does not suffer.

The members of the committee will visit Jammu and Srinagar medical facilities today and discuss various aspects with the stake holders concerned.

Notices have been issued to 27 junior doctors, who failed to resume duties, by the Jammu and Kashmir government.