Covid19- Services Rendered By Doctors, Health Workers & Policemen During COVID Appreciable; Expect Govt. Would Consider Their Demands: Madras High Court

The Bench of Justice N. Kirubakaran Justice B. Pugalendhi was hearing a petition filed praying for a direction for State Of Tamilnadu, and Director Of Medical Education to prohibit the President, Tamil Nadu Government Doctors and the Secretary, Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association and its members from going on or organising or participating in any kind of strike, in all the Government Hospitals in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Direct was also sought for the Respondents to ensure all kind of uninterrupted treatment and medical services in all the Government Hospitals in the State of Tamil Nadu.

The Counsel appearing for President, Tamil Nadu Government Doctors (respondent number 3) and the Secretary, Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (respondent number 4) stated before the Court that he would circulate a comparative statement of the pay scale, promotional avenues and other benefits available to the Doctors in various other States.

In this backdrop, the Court said,

"Considering their contributions during the health crisis to the Government and the people, this Court expects that the Government would consider the demands, not only the Doctors, Health Workers and also the Policemen"

The Court also said,

"The Doctors' role in the Covid-19 pandemic is very laudable and risking their own lives, they worked round the clock in the interest of people and many Doctors lost their lives in the fight against the pandemic."

Further, Additional Advocate General appearing for the official respondents was directed to get instructions as to the action taken report pursuant to the One Man Committee report and Departmental Committee, with regard to the issues raised by the Doctors and also other Health Workers.

On the other hand, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that MRI Scan and CT Scan facilities though are available in Government Medical Colleges, the same are not available in many of the District Head Quarters Hospitals.

To this, the Court directed the Additional Advocate General appearing for the official respondents to get instructions with regard to the availability of MRI Scan and CT Scan facilities in the District Head Quarters Hospitals.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on Tuesday (15^th December)

Case title - S. Mohamed Yunnis Raja v. The State Of Tamilnadu [WP(MD) No.24194 of 2018]