Medical services affected as MARD calls indefinite strike

Mumbai: Medical services in the state were affected on Wednesday as resident doctors and civic-run hospitals went on an indefinite strike. The strike, called by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), started Wednesday morning and doctors withdrew from all services, including the emergency section. The doctors are protesting the negligent attitude of the state and central governments towards resident doctors and their grievances.

The main demands of resident doctors include an increase in stipend and timely payment, hike on par with resident doctors in central government institutes, fixed norms for maternity and tuberculosis leaves, amendment in the proposed National Medical Council bill, better livelihood for resident doctors, security and a better working atmosphere for residents.

Dr Kalyani Dongre, president, MARD, said, “Around 4,000 doctors from state and civic-run hospitals have participated in the strike. We have stopped working for OPD and emergency services too. This time, we have withdrawn from the emergency section as well as we have no option with the government not accepting our demands. Yes, treatments will be affected a bit but the interns and other staff has been guided. This time we will not budge until our demands are met.”

The MARD on Wednesday evening stated that no higher authority had called to meet them about the strike and that the agitation would continue.