Resident doctors’ strike at JJ enters third day

BJP leader Shaina NC on Monday met resident doctors of JJ Hospital who are on an indefinite strike. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

For the third consecutive day, resident doctors from JJ Hospital continued with their indefinite mass bunk after a few students from the department of ophthalmology complained of ‘mental harassment’ caused by the long working hours.

On Monday, Maharashtra State Association of Gazetted Medical Officers (MAGMO) from JJ Hospital also gave a ‘letter of support’ to the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (Mard).

“We will continue with the strike until our demands are met. In fact, doctors from MAGMO have also extended their helping hand,” said Dr Sagar Mundada, president of central Mard.

The resident doctors at JJ Hospital have alleged they are being overworked have demanded immediate transfer of the dean of the hospital Dr T.P. Lahane and head of the department Dr Ragini Parekh.

Now the senior doctors have been instructed to do the work of the resident doctors who have opted for mass bunk.

“We have been filling in for them. Some of the surgeries have been cancelled as we have been asked to focus on the outdoor patients,” said a senior doctor.

Dr Eknath Pawar, president of State Medical Teacher’s Association, refused all the allegations. “We haven’t received any written complaints in the past 18 months. These sudden allegations are false. We don’t support the strike as it is unethical and deters the image of the noble profession.”

Meanwhile, additional chief secretary of the State Medical Education and Drugs Department, Medha Gadgil, visited the hospital on Monday along with Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) director Dr Pravin Shingare.

“We are probing the matter. Our department’s additional chief secretary has spoken with both sides mentioning that an inquiry will be conducted but the doctors should get back to work,” said Dr Shingare.

“(The strike) will make poor patients suffer,” Dr Shingare further said.