Indian Doctors Go on Strike

Posted by Bill Belew on November 9th, 2010 in India | 8 Comments

I understand the caste system and the history and all that in India. Maybe I didn’t realize just how strong it is.

in the name affirmative action, the Indian government has decided to up the ante on what percentage of the lower caste will be allowed to make up the student population at state-run medical colleges. It was 22.5%. The government wants to make it 49.5%.

About 80% of India’s 1 billion people are still at the bottom in most social indicators.

The present doctors say – no way! The government says – way!

Emergency health services in New Delhi have been hit the hardest. People who cannot afford health services are left in pain outside emergency rooms.

Huh!?

Do doctors take a different pledge in India?

Current medical students are going on hunger strikes, burning effigies and staging protests.

Is there perhaps a reader in India that can shed some light on this?

Are these students and doctors out of their mind?

 


 

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  1. says

    November 19, 2006

    the person who has posted this blog has formulated his premature and precast opinion on inadequate facts, he doesn’t seem have to have the thirst for more knowledge on the matter, such a person would be difficult to convince, however if u sincerely want to know more with an open mind, I would like to brief u.
    meleonine@gmail.com

    Reply
  2. panasianbiz says

    May 19, 2006

    But if it is a good thing for the people…then isn’t it a good thing?

    Reply
  3. INDIAN says

    May 19, 2006

    Are these students and doctors out of their mind? No..

    The government of india is out of mind.

    The government is doing this for the sake of their benifit(Votes!).

    Reply
  4. panasianbiz says

    May 18, 2006

    Good comments, Jennifer.

    You are so right…we have to start somewhere.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Simes says

    May 18, 2006

    It is hard to change an aspect of a people’s culture especially if it is so ingrained in the collective psyche. The Indian government’s affirmative action campaign is noble in terms of trying to create equality among its people, particularly the poor and marginalized. This is going to be an uphill battle as shown by the protesting doctors and medical students. But change for the better (eventhough it tramples upon one’s treasured yet outdated tradition) has to start somewhere, right?

    Reply
  6. panasianbiz says

    May 18, 2006

    Thanks for sharing this, Atlas.

    I now think German doctors are suspect, too.

    Thanks for your insights into India as well.

    Reply
  7. atlas shrugged says

    May 18, 2006

    No doctors all over the world take the same pledge.read the news…

    BERLIN (Reuters) – More than 12,000 doctors across Germany went on strike on Monday in the biggest walkout in the sector since a dispute over pay flared two months ago.

    the point the students are making is…
    if we go to the same medical school…are being taught by the same teachers…we give the same exams…get the same degree then why do we need reservations in post graduate degrees?

    Reply