Maharashtra resident doctors join stir, but will work in Covid wards

MUMBAI: From Friday, resident doctors from across the state will be withdrawing from all non-Covid routine duties, including emergency services, to join the nationwide protest against the delay in conduct of postgraduate medical admissions. The move is likely to hit healthcare services. Over 1,000 resident doctors from KEM and Sion hospitals already joined the protest from 5pm, Thursday. They will, however, continue to work in Covid wards.

Hospitals across the country are working with only two-third of the total strength of resident doctors for eight months. With the surge in Covid cases, the doctors are demanding restoration of the counselling process at the earliest. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), which called for the strike, condemned the police brutality against the protesting doctors in Delhi.

Dr Sachin Pattiwar, president of MARD-KEM, said senior doctors are replacing them in emergency services. “No surgeries have been called off, but resident doctors have stopped participating in routine duties. More doctors will join from Friday,” he said.

Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean of major hospitals, said they have started discussions with resident doctors. “We can do little about their main demand as the matter is sub judice.” He said OPD services may be hit though senior doctors will be attending to patients. “Elective surgeries will have to be postponed.”