MUMBAI: The 400-odd resident doctors of state-run JJ Hospital, who had stayed away from work for three days since Saturday, called off their strike on Tuesday evening after getting a "positive" response from the state government about their security concerns.
The state has with immediate effect increased 28 more security guards and has promised to increase more guards in a phased manner over the next three to six months, said Dr Amol Henkare of JJ Hospital’s MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors). MARD wants 282 guards over the next six months, but state medical education chief Dr Pravin Shingare said a security audit will be conducted by experts before any more new guards are appointed.
State minister for medical education Girish Mahajan said that the doctors’ other demand for buzzers too has been approved. "We have identified 73 spots and will place 254 buzzers or alarms over the next two months," said Mahajan.
He added that resident doctors would be given training in grief counselling and communication. "We have been given an assurance that our demands will be met over the six months. We are happy to be back at work," said MARD representatives.
The doctors went on a 'strike' after four relatives of a dead patient assaulted two resident doctors, Dr Atish Parekh and Dr Shalmali Dharmadhikari, and ransacked ward number 11 early on Saturday. Dr Parekh has a fractured cheek bone and Dr Dharmadhikari—a junior resident who joined JJ barely 10 days back—is mentally traumatized. They were discharged on Monday, said JJ Hospital dean Dr S Nanandkar.
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