Dehradun: Congress strongly raised the issue of the Clinical Establishment Act in the Uttarakhand assembly on Thursday and sought the state government’s intervention in the matter. The Congress lawmakers asserted that strike by the private doctors has adversely impacted the health services in the state and the ‘government hospitals were unable to handle the situation.’Responding to the question, parliamentary affairs minister Prakash Pant said that the act was being implemented in compliance with the guidelines of the Centre. “However, the suggestions of private doctors were welcome and that the government will try to make the amendments,” Pant added.The strike of the private medical practitioners in Uttarakhand, which started on February 15, continued for the seventh day on Thursday. To meet the shortage and provide immediate medical attention, the doctors have been asked not to take leaves.Congress MLA from Manglaur, Qazi Nizam-ud-Din said, “The government hospitals faced terrible state of affairs during the hooch tragedy due to lack of facilities. The patients across the state are suffering.” He asserted that shortage of doctors, medical facilities along with the ongoing strike has made the situation worrisome. “The state government needs to ensure that patients do not suffer due to this strike. On one end, it needs to ensure medical attention and on the other, try to end the deadlock with the private doctors.”Other Congress MLAs Pritam Singh and Karan Mahra extended support to Nizam-ud-Din.Leader of opposition, Indira Hridayesh said, “Other states of the country have made amendments in the Act. I agree it is The union governemtn’s decision but it’s about time for the Uttarakhand to look into the aspects which can help make the required changes in the Act.”Prakash Pant said, “The Indian Medical Association has written a letter to the CM and it is being reviewed. It is not right to say that the state government is not paying attention.” Pant claimed that the government hospitals in the state have the required facilities and that ‘it was not an emergency situation.’ He added that the government would ‘seriously consider’ the suggestions given by the private doctors. “Strike is not a solution to the issue. We can find answers through deliberations and we welcome any such move by them,” Pant said.

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