Maharashtra doctors on indefinite strike after Sena leader assaults medical staff
A CCTV video of the incident has also surfaced, purportedly showing Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly assaulting doctors inside the hospital. Doctors have further alleged that they were threatened with dire consequences.
Doctors and nurses across government hospitals and health centres in Maharashtra launched an indefinite strike on Tuesday after a Shiv Sena corporator allegedly assaulted doctors inside a hospital in Kalyan-Dombivli, triggering outrage within the medical fraternity.
Protesting doctors suspended OPD services across government healthcare facilities, while emergency services continued. The strike left hundreds of patients stranded, forcing many to either wait for treatment or seek care at private hospitals.
A CCTV video of the incident has also surfaced, purportedly showing Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly assaulting doctors inside the hospital. Doctors have further alleged that they were threatened with dire consequences.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The sequence of events began after a woman admitted to Shastrinagar Hospital for childbirth underwent a caesarean section on Monday. The newborn required specialised treatment after doctors found the umbilical cord wrapped twice around the baby's neck.
However, the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was full, making it impossible to admit the infant. Gynaecologists Dr Srushti Baviskar and Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe advised the family to shift the newborn to another hospital for further treatment.
According to doctors, the patient's relatives then contacted the Shiv Sena Corporator. As the doctors were attending to other patients, they could not answer his calls. They alleged that Mhatre subsequently arrived at the hospital.
DOCTORS ALLEGE ASSAULT
Doctors alleged that Mhatre verbally abused and assaulted Dr Salunkhe and Dr Baviskar without first understanding the medical circumstances. Dr Salunkhe reportedly sustained injuries in the attack.
Two nurses, Namita Ubale and Dravya Giri, who intervened to protect the doctors, were also allegedly pushed and manhandled. The entire episode was captured on the hospital's CCTV cameras.
The doctors further alleged that while leaving the hospital, the corporator threatened them and other staff members, saying, "Come outside the hospital, I will finish you."
The incident was immediately reported to Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goyal, following which Medical Health Officer Dr Deepa Shukla, along with the injured doctors and hospital staff, filed a complaint at the Vishnunagar Police Station.
However, no FIR has been registered so far.
STRIKE ACROSS MAHARASHTRA
In protest, doctors and nurses at government hospitals and health centres across Maharashtra launched a work boycott.
While emergency services remain operational, OPD services have been suspended indefinitely. The protesting doctors said they would not resume work until an FIR is registered against Mhatre and others responsible for the assault.
The strike has disrupted healthcare services across the state, with hundreds of patients returning without treatment or being forced to seek medical care elsewhere.
Police have begun investigating the incident after the CCTV footage surfaced. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena corporator has not yet issued any statement on the allegations.