Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 3: All doctors’ associations across Maharashtra have called for a statewide strike on Monday after the family of the woman doctor from Phaltan allegedly failed to receive justice in her death case. The strike is likely to severely disrupt healthcare services across the state.

Doctors’ organisations in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar held candlelight protests on Sunday evening, condemning the incident. Following the demonstrations, the associations announced a complete boycott of Outpatient Department (OPD) services in government medical colleges and public hospitals. The protest will continue until their demands are met, association leaders stated.

For the first time in Maharashtra’s history, all major medical organisations — including MARD, MAGMO, IMA, MSRDA, AMO, MSMTA, and ASMEE — have united for a joint protest. Postgraduate medical officers are also expected to join the strike.

Meanwhile, deans of civic-run medical colleges such as KEM, Nair, Sion, and Cooper Hospitals in Mumbai have been directed to ensure smooth functioning of emergency and surgical departments despite the strike. Professors and assistant professors have been appointed to manage OPD and critical care units, while senior faculty members have been asked to review patient conditions and discharge those who are stable.

If the strike continues, a meeting of all deans has been scheduled for 2 pm on November 3, informed Dr. Neelam Andrade, Director of Medical Education and head of Mumbai’s municipal hospitals. Additionally, associations like MAGMO, IMA, and AMO have announced a boycott of all administrative and virtual meetings.

Patient care likely to be affected

Authorities at J.J. Hospital, Mumbai, said measures have been taken to ensure that emergency and surgical services remain unaffected. “Professors, associate professors, and assistant professors have been deployed to prevent disruption in essential healthcare services,” said Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, dean of J J Hospital.

However, with OPD services across Maharashtra expected to remain shut, patients may face significant inconvenience as doctors intensify their demand for justice in the Phaltan doctor’s death case.