MARD strike enters 9th day

Mumbai, Mar 7: The doctors' strike, under the aegis of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) entered the ninth day today, paralysing medical services in the government and civic-run hospitals in Mumbai and elsewhere in the State.

MARD Spokeperson Dr Yashodhan Deshpande said they would decide later in the day on their future course of action as the government failed to take any decision on the long pending demands, including a hike in stipends.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials have locked the doors of hostels in some hospitals in the metropolis, but declined to give the exact figures.

The strike here began after two of the doctors were beaten up by patients' relatives at the KEM and Bhabha hospitals on February 26 and 27.

Their demands, besides a rise in stipend, include adequate security, filling up vacancies and reduction in medical fees and changed teaching pattern.

The Maharashtra government has served termination notice to more than 1,000 doctors across the State, while the BMC has issued notices to another 348 of them in civic hospitals for abstaining from duty till last last evening.

UNI