Provide safety to doctors, demands MARD

Mumbai: In light of the recent assault on doctors in Kolkata, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) joined a nationwide protest Friday to demand protection for doctors. However, the senior medicos ensured that medical emergency depa-rtments, OPDs, operation theatres and wards would remain operational.

Around 4,500 resident doctors in the state participated in the protest Friday in solidarity with doctors across the country protesting the assault on two medicos from NRS College, Kolkata, by the kin of a patient.

The MARD said that junior doctors across government hospitals in the state would not perform surgeries or work in outpatient departments (OPDs) between 8 am and 5 pm.

However, emergency services would function normally.

“We will not be treating any patients in routine OPDs or carrying out surgeries or taking rounds of wards. Doctors posted in emergency duties will not participate in the protest,” said Dr Kalyani Dongre, president, MARD Central.

Prashant Chaudhary, president, MARD, at civic-run Sion Hospital, said, “The incident was clearly a targeted assault. This has now become a law and order issue. We express solidarity with the seriously injured doctors. We will make sure to inform the administration so that OPDs, OTs and wards keep running.”