NEET PG Counselling 2021: “If demands not met, doctors will march to health ministry,” says FORDA

NEW DELHI: The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has announced that if their demands are not met, thousands of doctors will march to the health ministry. The statement comes after repeated delay in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-PG counselling 2021 and admission process for postgraduate medical courses.

Resident doctors across the nation continue to protest over delay as no solution came out of the meeting held with union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya yesterday, December 6.

Doctors in New Delhi, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat, and other states have boycotted all medical services including emergency services following the nationwide strike called out by FORDA on November 27.

Also Read | ‘Even 1 year is crucial’: Why delay in NEET PG counselling has led to doctors' strike today

Around 1,000 resident doctors of various medical colleges in Gujarat went on a day-long strike today, claiming that the shortage of manpower in civil hospitals due to the delay in new admissions to postgraduate medical courses have significantly increased their workload, as per a PTI report.

Resident doctors in Rajasthan went on a strike on Monday night, urging the government to fulfil their eight demands, as per PTI report.

Also Read | NEET PG 2021: Supreme Court junks plea challenging 40% in-service quota by West Bengal

The resident doctors of the Centre-run RML, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge hospitals in New Delhi have also boycotted all routine and emergency services from Monday.

NEET PG 2021 Twitter campaign

The issue has also gathered steam on social media with various doctors and doctors’ associations posting on Twitter asking for expedition of NEET PG counselling 2021 with hashtags #NEETPG2021 and tagging health minister and prime minister of India.

A doctor said in a tweet: “'In the 1st wave, India didn't have experience. In the 2nd wave, India didn't have Oxygen. Now if 3rd wave comes, India won't have doctors to treat COVID19. #neetpg2021counselling shouldn't be delayed.45,000 doctors are waiting to join the frontline':Dr Manish, President #FORDA”

'In the 1st wave, India didn't have experience.
In the 2nd wave, India didn't have Oxygen.
Now if 3rd wave comes, India won't have doctors to treat COVID19. #neetpg2021counselling shouldn't be delayed.45,000 doctors are waiting to join the frontline':Dr Manish, President #FORDA

— Dr Shweta Agarwal ? (@ShwetaAgarval) December 7, 2021

“Day 7 of peaceful protest to Expedite #NeetPGcounselling2021 Withdrawl of all Routine and Emergency services continued on day 2 at SBLS Civil Hospital , #Jalandhar #Punjab #residents #india #doctors,” a doctor tweeted regarding situation in Punjab.

Day 7 of peaceful protest to Expedite #NeetPGcounselling2021
Withdrawl of all Routine and Emergency services continued on day 2 at SBLS Civil Hospital , #Jalandhar #Punjab #residents #india #doctors @FordaIndia @thetribunechd @punjabkesari @htTweets pic.twitter.com/ImUe5rclqO

— Dr. Shubham Aggarwal (@aggshu) December 7, 2021

The Junior Doctors’ Association, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital said in a tweet: “Protest against unjustified delay in NEET PG counseling continues in GMCH. Today a peaceful march is carried out in Bhangagarh area near GMCH by the resident doctors.”

Protest against unjustified delay in NEET PG counseling continues in GMCH. Today a peaceful march is carried out in Bhangagarh area near GMCH by the resident doctors.#expediteneetpgcouncelling2021 @FordaIndia @FAIMA_INDIA_ @imajdnnational @PMOIndia @himantabiswa @keshab_mahanta pic.twitter.com/9Qx4U6UVwG

— Junior Doctors' Association, GMCH (@jdagmch) December 7, 2021

NEET PG counselling 2021 stands postponed as Centre has told the Supreme Court to review reservation criteria for OBC and EWS category.