Maharashtra Resident Doctors' Strike Continues Amid Healthcare Crisis

Resident doctors across Maharashtra continue their strike demanding the implementation of the Central Healthcare Protection Act and to express solidarity against the alleged rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. The strike has led to significant disruptions in patient services and surgeries in major civic hospitals.

Resident doctors in Maharashtra announced on Monday their determination to continue striking in response to the alleged rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee medic in Kolkata and to advocate for the Central Healthcare Protection Act.

The strike has severely impacted patient services, with only 18 major and 61 minor surgeries conducted in five major civic-run hospitals in the city. Dr Pratik Debaje, president of the Maharashtra State Association of Residential Doctors (Central-MARD), reported that a meeting with the Union health secretary did not yield positive outcomes, reinforcing their decision to maintain the strike.

“Our agitation will continue as no written assurances were provided,” Debaje said, adding that they hope the Supreme Court, which has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident, will issue a favorable directive.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on Tuesday, and further decisions regarding the strike will depend on this directive. In an effort to garner public support, resident doctors tied rakhis to various officials and healthcare workers on the occasion of Rakshabandhan. The indefinite strike, ongoing since August 13, has drastically reduced the operational capacity of hospitals in Mumbai, leading to postponed surgeries and decreased patient care in OPDs and casualty wards.