Mumbai: Resident doctors call off strike

After getting assurances from top state health as well as civic officials over security arrangements in hospitals, more than 1,700 resident doctors in Maharashtra called off their four-day strike late on Sunday night and resumed work.

The resident doctors were on an indefinite strike since Thursday after a few doctors were physically assaulted by patients' relatives at Sion Hospital in Mumbai and CGHS in Aurangabad.

On Sunday evening, the resident doctors had a detailed meeting with Maharashtra Health Secretary I S Chahal, Director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research Dr P S Shingare and deans of several medical colleges including J J Hospital, Sion Hospital and KEM Hospital, over security issues.

"The DMER has agreed to set up a security committee for each hospital within seven days and they shall review the requirements of each hospital," said representatives of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors.

"Since we got the assurance and also in view of the inconvenience caused to patients, we joined our duties after 8.30 pm on Sunday," said Dr Yogesh Pawar, MARD president of Sion Hospital.

"We also had a positive talk with Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Subodh Kumar on Saturday. Shingare has also assured that the problems related to a steep hike in college fees and better hostel facilities will be looked into," he said.

Patients at various hospitals faced immense hardships during the strike period. Departmental heads at various hospitals said over 50 per cent of their scheduled surgeries had to be postponed.

The police have also arrested those who had assaulted the doctors in Mumbai as well as in Aurangabad.