PUNE: Around 4,000 members of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) have called for an indefinite strike from Wednesday (August 7) against the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill in Maharashtra. 

Resident doctors from across India have been protesting against the Bill.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Dr Shishir Khose, President of MARD, at BJ General Medical College (BJGMC), said the resident doctors are standing for their rights. “However, with the flood-like situation in Pune, resident doctors will be helping out during emergencies,” Khose said. 

He said doctors are opposing the bridge courses proposed in the NMC Bill.

“But resident doctors from other parts of the State will not participate in the routine as well as emergency services at general hospitals,” said Dr Khose.

“It takes 10 years for us to complete MBBS and MD. But through this bill, any person can practise by just attending a six-month bridge course. Hence, we are opposing it,” said Dr Khose.

He said the resident doctors also face other problems which are being neglected by the authorities.

“Many colleges do not pay resident doctors for as much as six months. How are the doctors expected to work if they are not paid? The promise of increased payment to doctors has also not been fulfilled. The increased pay has not been implemented under the guise of insufficient funds. Moreover, there is no maternity leave provision for women resident doctors. Instead, they are asked to drop a year and join later,” said Dr Khose.

He said sanctioned leave for resident doctors suffering from tuberculosis (TB) is only two months. “Many resident doctors are suffering from TB as they treat TB patients. But they get only two months sanctioned leave despite severe illnesses. We demand that this duration be increased,” said Dr Khose.

Members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have extended support for the cause.