Nearly 40,000 Maharashtra doctors decided today to go on an indefinite strike to support their colleagues agitating over the lack of security to them in the government hospitals.
The 40,000-odd doctors, all members of the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association, decided to shun work and join over 4,500 resident doctors in the state, who have been staying away from the duty for the last three days.
"We are protesting the Maharashtra government's decision to ignore our demand. We are only seeking immediate deployment of the security personnels at all the government hospitals and restrict the entry of patients' relatives to only two (per patient).
"Instead of implementing it, the government is issuing warnings to us. Hence, the IMA has decided to extend its support to the resident doctors and go on the indefinite strike," said Dr Sagar Mundada, the chairman of IMA's youth wing.
Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra government warned the resident doctors that if they did not report to the duty by 8 pm tonight, they would face suspension and loss of six months' salary.
Mundada said the IMA members will continue to serve in the emergency wards, conduct operations and treat accident cases (at government hospitals) but other services such as check-up and health services in general wards will not be provided.
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