Mumbai: Public Interest Litigation Filed Against Government Hospital Resident Doctors’ Strike, Demanding Action and Policy Reforms

Mumbai, 11th June 2023: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the High Court seeking legal action against resident doctors of a hospital who recently went on strike, alleging harassment and oppression by senior doctors. The petition, filed by social activist Sanjay Gurav, asserts that the strike was illegal and caused significant inconvenience to patients, leading to postponed surgeries and disrupted healthcare services.

The strike, which affected patient care in hospitals including Gokuldas Tejpal, St. George, and Kama, was called off on Sunday by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) after the state government approved the resignation of Dr. Tatya Rao Lahane, coordinator of Motibindu Mukta Maharashtra, and Dr. Ragini Parekh, head professor of the ophthalmology department.

The PIL emphasises that a committee is functioning for the redressal of grievances of resident doctors. However, without resorting to legal avenues, around 750 doctors went on strike against the senior doctors. The petition asserts that this strike was unlawful and calls for action against the participating resident doctors to prevent such incidents from recurring. The hearing for this PIL is scheduled for June 15.

The petitioner, Sanjay Gurav, highlights the adverse impact the strike had on patients, resulting in inconveniences and postponed surgeries. The petition argues that the striking doctors have violated the code of ethics by engaging in an illegal strike. That is why the State Medical Council should be ordered to take disciplinary action against them. Furthermore, the petition demands that the state government should be directed to formulate a policy under the Essential Services Act to effectively manage and control any alleged illegal strikes by doctors and healthcare workers in the future.

Another significant demand put forth by the PIL is for the disclosure of detailed information regarding how many admitted patients were sent home and how many surgeries were postponed during the strike.