MARD strike enters 8th day

Mumbai, Mar 6 (UNI) The strike by Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) entered the eighth day today, paralysing the outdoor patient departments.

As many as 1282 resident doctors in State Government and civic hospitals have been served notices.

MARD secretary Ajay Ovhal, while speaking to UNI, claimed that 7,000 resident doctors across the state have joined the strike.

Additional Municipal Commissioner M L Patankar, meanwhile, told UNI that 348 doctors in civic hospitals were served notices and their services were being terminated.

''We have started the process of appointing new doctors,'' he added.

State Medical Education Director W B Tayade told UNI that 1132 doctors were served notices in the State.

He said services of 210 doctors from private hospitals were being taken, while 129 doctors from Public Health, 25 ESIS doctors, and and 20 doctors from the navy had also come forward to extend their services.

Dr Ovhal, meanwhile, maintained that MARD was awaiting a written assurance from the government with regards to their demands, including a hike in the stipend.

He said resident doctors here get a stipend ranging between Rs 8000 to Rs 9000 while an AIIMS resident draws a stipend of Rs 21,000.

The MARD had gone on a 14-day srike in 1999 over the same demand.

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