Telangana doctors to appeal to PMO against G.O. 229, form Joint Action Committee

Doctors across Telangana have announced that mass representations will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, the Union Health Ministry and the Telangana Health Ministry as part of an intensified protest against Government Order (G.O) No. 229, which they allege undermines the autonomy of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC). The decision was taken at a round table meeting of various doctors’ associations held at the IMA Hall in Koti on Saturday, January 24. 

The G.O. provides for the appointment of four ex-officio members to the Telangana Medical Council, a move the associations described as a dilution of its democratic and autonomous character. “In addition to submitting mass representation, as a democratic protest, doctors will continue black badge demonstrations across the State,” they said.

The associations also resolved to form a unified platform titled the Telangana Allopathic Doctors Associations – Joint Action Committee (TADA-JAC) to coordinate a phased statewide agitation. The newly formed body will spearhead further action if the government does not respond to their demands.

Doctors at the meeting cautioned that, in the event of continued inaction, medical services could be boycotted in a phase-wise manner in both government and private institutions. While reaffirming their commitment to patient care, members of the medical fraternity maintained that the independence of the Telangana Medical Council is non-negotiable. They urged the government to initiate dialogue and withdraw G.O. Ms. No. 229 in what they described as the larger public interest.

Representatives from Indian Medical Assocaition (IMA) Telangana State, Healthcare Refroms Doctors Assocaition (HRDA), Telangana Junior Doctors Assocaition (T-JUDA), Telangana Senior Residents Doctors Association (T-SRDA) and various other associations were present at the meeting.