Twelve more junior doctors from various medical colleges and teaching hospitals joined the indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday to intensify the agitation. Five doctors are already on fast, still carrying on despite being admitted in the ICU of Gandhi Hospital, to get the government’s attention to address their demands.
An all-party meet was also held at the hospital in the afternoon to discuss the issues raised by junior doctors. Meanwhile, Gandhi Hospital has turned into a hotbed of politics, with the opposition seizing the opportunity to slam the government. With leaders of many political parties flocking to the hospital every day, a large police force has been deployed there, inconveniencing patients.
The main gate to general hospital and the front door of the main building remained closed on Wednesday. Security personnel were seen asking attendants of patients to exit through the back door, located near the diet canteen. A cabinet sub-committee comprising ministers Dr D.L. Ravindra Reddy, Dr Geeta Reddy, Ms Sailaja Nath and Mr Anam Ramnarayan Reddy has been formed to discuss the issues and demands of the doctors.