Mumbai: Resident doctors to hold indefinite strike from today

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Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) demanding better hostel accommodation, a hike in stipend, and clearance of arrears, will hold a state-wide indefinite strike starting today at 5 pm, reported news agency ANI.

Dr Abhijit Helge, MARD President, said that the Central MARD, had kept our faith in the government's words and called off our strike multiple times previously, despite the distressing situation of resident doctors, reported ANI.

"We, the Central MARD, had kept our faith in the government's words and called off our strike multiple times previously. Despite the distressing situation of resident doctors, the benefit of doubt was always given to the authority, and we entrusted them to do the right thing in timely manner to ensure the welfare of Resident doctors. However regardless of our innumerable pleas, it seems our genuine concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Having been pushed to the limit by the cruel disregard towards the resident doctor's legitimate demands, we, the Representative Body of the Resident doctors are left with no choice but to go on a pan-Maharashtra indefinite strike," the letter from MARD said, reported ANI.

However, the association has clarified that the emergency services will remain operational to ensure the provision of essential medical care to the people during the strike.

"Around 8,000 resident doctors across the state will be on strike, demanding better hostel accommodation, a hike in stipend, and clearance of arrears," Dr Abhijit Helge said, reported ANI.

Earlier on February 7, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) decided not to go ahead with their strike after a meeting with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who agreed to their demands, reported the PTI.

MARD representatives had a meeting with Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Pawar and officials of the Medical Education and Drugs Department, as per the PTI.

The Maharashtra government has also agreed to release the monthly payment of stipend henceforth and directed the finance department to release the exact amount of requested funds every month, the MARD said.

The resident doctors had also demanded immediate grant of necessary funds and fast-tracking of all the PWD (public welfare department) work across the state to ensure completion of repairs of existing hostels and initiation of construction of new hostel premises.

MARD had also demanded that arrangements be made to lease out buildings as a temporary substitute for hostels until new infrastructure is built.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)