Maharashtra Resident Doctors Strike Hits Mumbai Hospitals

The indefinite strike by nearly 7,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra has severely disrupted outpatient services across Mumbai's major government hospitals.

The strike, called in protest against the state government's decision to conditionally register CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners with the Maharashtra Medical Council, has left hundreds of patients waiting for hours and many returning home without treatment.

Resident doctors, under the banner of Central MARD, boycotted OPDs and other non-emergency services while staging demonstrations within hospital premises.

While emergency services, ICUs and surgeries continued, OPD attendance fell by nearly 50% at several hospitals, including Sion, JJ, and Nair Hospitals.

At Sion Hospital, the hospital recorded only 1,197 OPD patients against the usual daily average of 2,713. JJ Hospital Dean Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar said OPD attendance fell from the usual 1,735 patients to 1,333.

Admissions also dropped sharply, with only 12 patients admitted compared to the average of 102, while only 14 major and minor surgeries were performed during the day.

Nair Hospital also witnessed a steep decline in patient attendance, with OPD footfall falling to around 1,032—nearly half of its normal daily volume.

Similar disruption was reported at KEM and Cooper Hospitals.

At Cooper Hospital, routine services were significantly affected as resident doctors stayed away from work, although emergency care continued uninterrupted.

According to Dean Dr. Shailesh Mohite, only five of the hospital's 175 resident doctors reported for routine duties, while 118 of the 124 faculty members remained present to ensure continuity of essential services.

The hospital conducted four deliveries, eight major surgeries and five minor surgeries during the day, with senior doctors taking charge of patient care amid the strike.

Many patients who were unaware of the strike bore the brunt of the disruption.

Rubina Shaikh from Govandi, who had visited Sion Hospital for dressing of his injured leg, was asked to return because no doctor was available in the OPD.

Similarly, Amarjeet Singh waited for nearly an hour with her daughter before senior doctors began consultations.

The strike highlights the long-standing issue of the state government's decision to allow homeopathic practitioners to practice modern medicine.

The Maharashtra Medical Council has been at the center of the controversy, with resident doctors opposing the move to create a separate register for BHMS practitioners who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology.

The strike is likely to continue until the state government revises its decision, leaving thousands of patients in a precarious situation.

In the meantime, hospital administrations have deployed senior faculty and heads of departments to manage patient care, but the reduced workforce has significantly affected routine services.

The situation is a cause for concern, with many patients being forced to wait for hours or return home without treatment.

It remains to be seen how the state government will respond to the strike and address the concerns of the resident doctors.

For now, patients are bearing the brunt of the disruption, and it is essential that a solution is found soon to restore normal services at Mumbai's government hospitals.

The strike has significant implications for the healthcare system in Maharashtra, and it is crucial that the state government takes immediate action to resolve the issue.

In conclusion, the indefinite strike by resident doctors has severely disrupted outpatient services across Mumbai's major government hospitals, leaving thousands of patients in a precarious situation.

It is essential that the state government revises its decision and addresses the concerns of the resident doctors to restore normal services at Mumbai's government hospitals.