Maharashtra Resident Doctors Continue Strike Amidst Nation-wide Protests

Government resident doctors in Maharashtra continue their strike, rejecting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's appeal. Their protests support colleagues affected by the Kolkata rape-murder incident. Private doctors also joined, impacting health services. A call for stringent national laws for doctor safety continues, alongside demands for better security and working conditions.

Maharashtra's resident doctors have extended their strike, dismissing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's request to end the protest. This movement originates from widespread anger over the recent rape-murder of a doctor in Kolkata, prompting both public and private medical practitioners to join the strike.

Chief Minister Shinde discussed the need for a stringent national law to protect doctors with Union Health Minister J P Nadda, seeking a positive response from the central government. As the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) continues its strike since August 13, they demand an impartial investigation, better security measures, and the implementation of the Central Healthcare Protection Act.

While Shinde assured improvements in security and audit on existing arrangements, MARD persists with their protest, affecting elective services but keeping emergency services operational. Nationwide support from the medical fraternity, including a 24-hour strike by the Indian Medical Association, highlights the seriousness of their demands.

(With inputs from agencies.)