Teachers to join medico strike from tomorrow

MUMBAI: The strike by medical students and resident doctors of government medical colleges in Maharashtra to demand more seats in the Post Graduation course intensified today with the teachers and other medicos desiring to join the stir from tomorrow.

Medical students and resident doctors began their indefinite strike yesterday accusing Medical Council of India (MCI) for slashing the number of PG seats to 411 this year from 653 last year.

They wanted MCI to at least restore 653 fixed for 2007.

MCI reduced the number of seats to 411 this year while it was 1900 in the year 2001 as they felt some of the government medical colleges did not have adequate infrastructure meant for post graduation course as per the guidelines laid out by them. Medical teachers will show their support in phases from
tomorrow -- first by wearing black badges, Dr Shailesh Mohite, Secretary of Teachers Welfare Association and Head Forensic department of Nair Hospital told PTI.

Then they will go on mass casual leave after officially informing the Municipal Commissioner, he said.

The number of PG seats for 2008 has been fixed at 411 and counselling for it began on April eight.

Post graduate students or the residents form the backbone of any healthcare system in the government set up and "it is high time that the number of seats are retained at least at 653," Dr Shailesh Mohite said.