Maharashtra resident doctors threaten to go on State-Wide Strike from tomorrow

"We discussed various issues with the Minister and gave him one month's time to resolve them. But on this issue (attack) we want immediate action. Doctors must be provided adequate safety and security. Mere assurance would not do," said Mundada told PTI.

"All resident doctors have decided to stop work from 8 PM tomorrow after Ganapati Visarjan is over," he said.

Repeated incidents of assaults have taken place on doctors in the past one year. In KEM itself,

a female resident was assaulted in the month of August, with the alleged culprits still absconding.

Resident doctors of KEM Hospital are already on strike since yesterday morning and other MARD members would join them as a mark of solidarity. The KEM doctors are demanding substantial increase in number of CCTV cameras installed in the hospital and deployment of more security guards. 

They have demanded at least 145 CCTV cameras (only 10 are operational now) and an additional 200 security personnel (current strength 168). 

Meanwhile, to maintain medical services in the KEM Hospital, the administration has roped in senior doctors, lecturers, professors and assistant professors.

MARD has over 4,500 doctors as its members across the state, the organisation has been repeatedly  demanding proper security facilities for the doctors as well as better implementation of Doctors Protection Act. A state-wide strike by them would badly affect medical services in the state-run hospitals.

( with inputs from PTI)