Public hospitals across Maharashtra limped back to normalcy as resident doctors resumed work. Doctors began to return to work late Friday night, with most having resumed duty before the 8 am deadline on Saturday.
More than 4,500 resident doctors went on mass leave after a series of assaults on resident doctors in various parts of the state, severely affecting health services.
The doctors called off their five-day stir after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday issued an ultimatum, asking them to resume duties or face legal action. Indicating that the government has run out of patience, Fadnavis had on Friday told the Legislative Assembly that "Enough is enough. If the doctors fail to resume work today, the government will not sit quietly. We cannot leave the patients to die."
Also, the Bombay High Court had lambasted the doctors for taking "undue advantage of its sympathy", and asked protesting doctors to report back to work by 8 am Saturday or prepare for suitable action by their respective hospital managements.
"Everyone has returned to work and things have been running smoothly since. Resident doctors had to be convinced since they wanted to see change on the ground before returning to work," said Dr Yashowardhan Kabra, President, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD). While MARD did not extend support or endorse the protest by the doctors, it was involved in negotiations with the state government.
Increased police presence was seen at most public hospitals and the pass system for family members of patients has also been implemented. One of the key demands of the resident doctors was that only one relative be allowed for each patient. "There is no reason for us to continue the agitation. Most of our demands have been considered," Dr Kabra said.
Out Patient Departments (OPDs) resumed services on Saturday at public hospitals, five days after the doctors went on mass leave.
Dean of Nair Hospital Dr RN Bharmal said, "Everything is back to normal. I also had a meeting with officials of MARD and doctors have returned to work. There is no doubt that they are overworked. We are thinking of ways to reduce their burden, but it will take time."
On the cards
A committee under former DIG Pravin Dixit will conduct a security audit of all medical colleges and hospitals and submit a report
Setting up of an alarm system, a tri-monthly security report by every government hospital, a security panel comprising of resident doctors in every hospital, and empowering police posts in hospitals to record FIRs in medico-legal cases also assured
1,100 security personnel will be provided from Police Security Corporation of which 500 will be deployed by April 5 across Mumbai government hospitals
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