The Centre on Tuesday said Army doctors will be called in from Wednesday to restore services in state-run hospitals in view of the continuing strike by medicos against reservation.
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Coverage: The Reservation Issue
After a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Health Minister A Ramadoss said, "We are going to maintain services in the hospitals come what may. We will be calling doctors from the Army on Wednesday and appoint new doctors."
He ruled out invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act against the striking doctors but said that the government would take all action to restore normalcy in hospitals.
The minister also ruled out the the possibility of another round of talks.
Talking to reporters Ramadoss said Dr Singh was 'disheartened' at the response of the agitating doctors who had rejected his appeal. He said that despite the government making all efforts, the agitating doctors have not seen reason. Now even the courts have asked the agitating doctors to join work, but they have not heeded, he added.
"We have appealed enough to the students. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Oscar Fernandes and even the prime minister held talks with them but the strike still continues. We are really disheartened by their response," Ramadoss said, adding that now the government will take 'all necessary action to restore normalcy come what may.'
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