The month-long strike by junior doctors in government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh has taken a serious turn with at least eight deaths reported since Friday evening following complete breakdown of emergency services in the hospitals. Sources said six patients died at the emergency ward of Gandhi Hospital in the capiital and one each in Visakhapatnam and Kurnool government hospitals after about 3000 junior doctors in 10 teaching hospitals boycotted emergency services since Friday evening in an attempt to force the government to accept their charter of demands. Their demands include a 40 per cent hike in stipend paid to them and reduction in the mandatory rural service from the existing three years to one year. The government has made it clear that it would not buckle under pressure and give in to their demands. Medical and Health Minister Kondru Murali Mohan categorically stated that the government would not hold talks with the striking doctors unless they called off their agitation first. “The government is not afraid of the threats issued by the junior doctors. Let them call off their strike first and then we can sit at the negotiation table,” the minister said. Relatives of the patients who died since the boycott of emergency services began alleged that lack of timely medical attention had resulted in the death of their kin.  Since it is mostly the junior doctors who man emergency services in government hospitals, these services have been badly crippled. Osmania and Gandhi Hospitals in Hyderabad are the worst hit. Sources said hospital authorities were turning to non-clinical specialties staff for their services but this was proving inadequate. Patients who can afford treatment in private hospitals are leaving the government facilities but the poor have no option but to stay there and hope for an early end to the standoff. ( Khaleej times)