Standoff continues over RTH Bill, talks to be held today

JAIPUR: No talks were held on Friday between the agitating doctors and the state government to resolve the dispute on Right To Health (RTH) Bill as the strike entered its fifth day on Friday.
It is likely the striking doctors and the state government will hold talks on Saturday to resolve the issue in the interest of patients who are bearing the brunt in the dispute.
Across the state, private hospital doctors remained on strike causing inconvenience to patients, while in government hospitals attached to medical colleges, resident doctors shunned work in solidarity with the striking private hospital doctors.
Despite an appeal from SMS Medical College principal and controller Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta, resident doctors and various organizations continued to extend their full support to the movement. At 11am on Friday, women doctors took out a rally.
A meeting of private hospital doctors was also held at JMA auditorium after the rally in which a large number of doctors participated. The office bearers of Rajasthan Pradesh Chemist Association met the agitators and assured their support to the movement. Apart from this, various social organizations and professional bodies also issued letters in support. A candle march was organized at Amar Jawan Jyoti at 6 m in which a large number of people participated.
Private Hospital and Nursing Home Society (PHNHS) secretary Dr Vijay Kapoor said this law will harm the public more than doctors and hospitals. “As per the definition of emergency in this Bill, only snake bite, animal attack or road accident are emergency, while the biggest causes of deaths like heart attack and septicemia are not included,”he said.