Doctors across Maharashtra began a statewide strike on Monday to protest the alleged mishandling of the probe into the death of a doctor at the Sub-District Hospital in Phaltan, Satara district. The young doctor had reportedly died by suicide, sparking outrage among the medical fraternity over allegations of workplace harassment and inadequate safety mechanisms for healthcare professionals.
Major doctors’ associations, including the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), have announced a boycott of non-emergency services until their demands for a fair and transparent investigation are met.
In a statement issued by the Cooper MARD unit of HBTMC and Dr. R.N. Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, the association said: “In view of the statewide agitation demanding justice for late Dr. Sampada Mundhe and highlighting the urgent need for doctor safety, non-emergency OPD services at Cooper Hospital will remain suspended from 11:00 AM on November 3. A peaceful march have been organised within the hospital premises as part of the coordinated protest. Emergency and critical care services will continue without disruption to ensure patient welfare.”
Meanwhile, the Nair MARD, under the collective leadership of BMC and Central MARD, has also planned a peaceful protest on November 3 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM near Gate No. 1 of Nair Hospital, according to Dr. Digvijay Jadhav, President, Nair MARD and Vice President, BMC MARD.
Speaking to IANS, a resident doctor at Nair Hospital said, “This incident raises serious concerns for on-duty medical staff serving society. The investigation into the suicide remains unclear amid political pressure and attempts to influence the relatives’ complaint.”
Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the recent death of a resident doctor, a resident doctors at Nair Hospital says, “This incident raises serious concerns for on-duty medical staff serving society. The investigation into the suicide remains unclear amid political pressure and attempts to… pic.twitter.com/vaUKT7ugyv
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Doctors have urged the state government to ensure a time-bound inquiry, strict action against those found responsible for harassment, and stronger institutional mechanisms to safeguard the mental health and workplace safety of medical professionals.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered the setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged suicide of a woman doctor in Satara district.
Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, has directed the state Director General of Police to constitute an SIT under a woman IPS officer immediately.
The move comes amid pressure from citizens and political parties seeking justice for the deceased`s kin. The victim`s family had also appealed for an SIT investigation to ensure stern punishment for the culprits.
