Rajasthan: 15 die as 5000 doctors quit

The strike which has crippled health services and left over a dozen patients dead, has deepened after 5000 doctors submitted their resignations.

Around 300 doctors have been arrested by the state government under the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) so far.

Due to unavailability of medical assistance, around 15 patients have died so far and several others have been left suffering at district hospitals, primary health centers and dispensaries.

Private doctors and medical teachers also stopped work on Friday for four and two hours respectively in support of in-service doctors who are demanding redressal of their long-pending demands of pay hike and time-bound promotions. They also threatened the state government to join the strike on Sunday if the "justified" demands of the government doctors were not met by then.

Meanwhile, the state government sought help from the Army, railways and Border Security Force in providing doctors to district collectors so that people could get treatment.

State medical and health minister Duru Miyan said that the government is open to talks.