Resident docs call off strike

Following an appeal from the municipal commissioner and the deans of three medical colleges in the city, the resident doctors in the city have temporarily postponed their strike.

The strike was earlier planned on Tuesday, coinciding with Gokulashtami festival. The strike would have resulted in huge inconvenience as revellers often injure themselves during the Dahi Handi ritual.

“In view of public interest during the upcoming Dahi Handi and Ganesh festivals, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has decided to give one month’s time to the authorities to meet our demands,” said a  MARD spokesperson.

The resident doctors’ demands include provision of better basic amenities, MCI recognition of post graduate seats and payment of stipend, which has been pending since May 2006.

On Monday afternoon, municipal commissioner Dr Jairaj Phatak and additional municipal commissioner Kishore Gajbhiye convened a meeting with spokespersons from MARD and promised to address the resident doctors’ grievances.

“The authorities have assured payments of pending arrears of resident doctors and house officers within seven days,” said Dr Abhijeet Pakhre, central MARD spokesperson.

A meeting between MARD representatives and the deans of all medical colleges has been scheduled on September 12.

Hospitals have geared up for Dahi Handi which will be celebrated on Tuesday. “On an average, there are 10-12 cases of head and spinal injuries or fractures due to falls every year.

Senior staff members and lecturers from all the departments have been put on duty round the clock for Tuesday,” said Dr Sanjay Oak, dean, Nair Hospital.

Four departments at KEM, including casualty, general surgery, orthopaedic, neurosurgery have been put on alert as an anticipatory measure. “Around 20-30 patients come to the hospital for treatment at the out-patient department. There are 3-5 cases that are serious,” said Dr ME Yeolekar, dean, KEM Hospital.