Day 6: Rajasthan doctors continue strike

Jaipur, Dec 26 (IBNS): The Rajasthan government arrested more than 400 doctors under essential services act as the conflict between doctors and the authorities continue for the sixth consecutive day on Monday.

The strike by the doctors have disrupted the medical services in the west Indian state.

Nearly 50 patients have died in the state due of absence of medical facilities.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged the striking doctors to resume their work.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad appealed the doctors to leave strikes and start treating patients.

"Any strike causes huge loss but when it is performed by doctors then the troubles increase as it is concerned with the life and death of a person.Doctors should try to find out different ways to protest and press for their demands. They should not remain absent from the hospitals," he said

Nearly 3,500 doctors have commenced a strike since Wednesday to press for a pay hike and other demands.

Around 20,000 National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) contract employees and several in-service doctors have participated in the strike since December 21.

The government has tried to tackle the situation for the past couple of days by engaging the service of private medical facilities in the state, media reports said.

Several private hospitals have opened their doors for patients admitted in the government medical facilities.