Why I support the Doctors..

 […. and why I believe you should too]

There is a lot of debate, primarily on social media, on how many of the more vocal protesting doctors didn’t join in any previous protests and why it is not necessary to support their protests.

Here are five reasons why I support the demand of the protesting doctors for expedited NEET-PG Counselling, and why I think you should too.

One:

Doctors often take time off to prepare for NEET-PG. If the exams and counselling are delayed, in addition to the anxiety the opportunity cost goes up. This will particularly hit the doctors who are not well off.

Two:

We need doctors in our wards.

Doctors doing their PG are the ones on duty in Hospitals associated with Medical Colleges. One batch has already passed out. Unless a new batch is taken in, there will be only 1/3rd the required number in the wards. And this at a time when COVID cases are on the rise, and will certainly stress the system.

Three:

Yes, aspirants who do not qualify under any quota are questioning the increase in reservations. Yes, they have sought legal recourse. But isn’t that best addressed by improving facilities and increasing the number of seats available, so despite reservations, the number of seats in the ‘general category’ remains the same, or goes up.

Four:

Yes, most doctors didn’t support the Farmers’ Protest; many of them spoke against the anti-CAA-NRC movement. However, our support need not be conditional. If we stand for justice, we will support the demands of the protesting doctors.

Five:

Doctors are essential workers. Especially during the pandemic, we saw how hard they worked under extremely difficult conditions to save lives. We owe the profession a debt of gratitude. This is the least we can do to support them.