For the workers, who have been badly hit by the slowdown that led to the closure of the diamond units, this has given them a reason to breathe easy.

On their part, the doctors said they are doing this on humanitarian grounds.

“We thought in the time of this severe crisis, we should provide free medical treatment to the unemployed diamond workers on humanitarian grounds. We hope other doctors will also follow suit. In fact, some doctors have expressed their wish to do the same,” said Dr B M Kubavat, the superintendent of a hospital in Star Complex near the Junagadh bus-station.

He said till date he has treated 150 diamond workers and operated upon four without fees, and that he provides free consultation and operation facility to unemployed diamond polishers.

Dr Kubavat said he took this initiative last month, but has not made any announcement so far.

Dr J C Parmar, the former civil surgeon of the Junagadh Civil Hospital is also offering free service to the workers.

On the strike called by private doctors in Rajkot, Dr Kubavat said: “Doctors should not be blamed for the recycling of bio-medical waste. It is the handiwork of the non-medical staff of the hospitals.”