Doctors' strike continues for third day

Mumbai, Marh 1: The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors' (MARD) strike entered its third day today (Mar 1, 2006) as dialogue with State Health Minister Suresh Shetty last evening yielded no result.

Meanwhile, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed the Deans in various hospitals to prepare an action plan against the doctors on strike and has decided to take action on an individual basis.

KEM hospital Dean Nilima Kshrisagar told sources over phone this morning that an action plan has been kept ready. But, it will be executed after the meeting of BMC officials today.

Over 2,500 resident doctors from 15 State Government and BMC-governed hospitals went on an indefinite strike from Monday evening after two doctors were beaten up by some relatives of patients.

The MARD has demanded to provide adequate security to the medicos, increase their stipend and fill-up the backlog of doctors in various hospitals.

The hospitals, whose doctors have joined the strike include-KEM hospital (Parel), Bhabha hospital (Bandra and Kurla), Nair hospital (Mumbai Central), Cooper hospital (Vile Parle), Bhagwati hospital (Borivali), M G Agrawal hospital (Mulund), Satabadi hospital (Navi Mumbai), St George hospital (CST), G T hospital (Crawford market), Cama hospital, JJ hospital (Sion), Oshiwara Municipal hospital and Chattrapati Shivaji hospital (Thane).

UNI