MUMBAI: Health services across the state’s medical colleges were partially affected on Friday — the first day of the resident doctors’ strike.
Hundreds of elective surgeries were put on hold as talks between the striking medicos and state failed. Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said their indefinite strike will continue as the state didn’t give a written assurance to waive off their tuition fees for months they worked for Covid care.
The state has nearly 4,000 resident doctors who are the backbone of medical colleges. The students pay an annual fee of Rs 1 lakh. Some are demanding a refund of fee amount for 15-16 months.
Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, head, directorate of medical education and research (DMER), said that medical services were not majorly affected. “We are trying to sort out the issues. We are hopeful they will return to work soon,” he said.
