Hindu Rao doctors go on strike, seek permission for mass suicide

New Delhi: Resident doctors of North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run Hindu Rao hospital went on an indefinite strike Monday over "recurring problem" of non-payment of salaries, partially affecting health services at the facility.

They said they tried to operate a parallel Out Patient Department (OPD) but the hospital authorities prevented them from doing so.

The doctors wrote to the President of India seeking his permission for "suicide". In the letter, the doctors said, "Our situation has turned pathetic and we are unable to take care of our families. We do not even have money for food... So we seek your permission for suicide."

The doctors say they have not been paid salaries for three months.

They demanded that the hospital be handed over to the central government, if the local government and the municipal corporation are unable to run it.

"Its not just a question of three months' salaries, we are facing this recurring problem. The Delhi government and the NDMC should give up this hospital if they cannot ensure regular payment to the staff.

"We need a permanent solution of the problem," said Rahul Chaudhary, president of the hospital's Resident Doctors Association.

A senior NDMC official said the salaries of resident doctors were delayed because funds were not released on time by the Delhi government.