The on-going strike by junior doctors and their boycott of emergency services have been resulting in the death of gullible patients at hospitals.

Reports said 10 persons died at the Government Hospital in Kurnool on Sunday alone due to lack of emergency medical aid. The dead included three children, accident victims and some heart patients.

The AP High Court today took up a PIL petition for hearing seeking direction to the junior doctors to call off their strike immediately. The PIL called the strike illegal.

The court issued notices to the Medical Council, Medical Education Department and the junior doctors and adjourned the case till tomorrow for further hearing.

Government counsel told the court the medical education department has been reviewing the stipend of junior doctors every six months as per the 2009 agreement between the government and the junior doctors. The court then asked the government to file an affidavit with complete details.

There was no counsel present in the court to argue on behalf of the junior doctors and, observing this, Chief Justice Madan B Lokur directed the Court Registrar to serve notices on the striking doctors personally. (JUBS)