MAMC doctors call off strike, resume duty after talks

On Wednesday evening, after meeting with senior health department officials, doctors who had been protesting against poor security conditions leading to frequent assaults from patients' kin, called off their strike.

Resident doctors from Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and its associated hospitals again went on strike on Wednesday, keeping away from OPDs. They had earlier gone on strike on Monday, but resumed emergency duties on Republic Day.

On Wednesday evening, after meeting with senior health department officials, doctors who had been protesting against poor security conditions leading to frequent assaults from patients’ kin, called off their strike.

On the wee hours of Monday, a seven-months pregnant woman who was brought to the emergency of Lok Nayak hospital passed away following respiratory distress, despite attempts at resuscitation. Resident doctors had alleged a mob of 50-60 people entered the emergency ward and assaulted hospital staff. After resident doctors went on strike on Monday, the hospital registered an institutional FIR under sections of assault and wrongful confinement.

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On Wednesday, patients who came to the OPD after being turned away on Monday, again saw only emergency services running in the hospital. Only emergency operation theatres could be kept operational.

On Wednesday, when doctors stayed away from the OPD despite registering an FIR, the dean of MAMC warned resident doctors that their annual appraisal will take into consideration whether they had participated in the strike, sources said. The dean told contractual senior residents that their services can be terminated if they participate in the strike, sources added. Leaves of senior consultants were also cancelled.

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