Mumbai: Resident doctors threaten to go on mass leave in January

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Services in government hospitals across the state might get disrupted in the new year as resident doctors of Maharashtra have threatened to go on mass leave from January 2. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has also given a letter to Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan in this regard.

Avinash Dahiphale, president, MARD, said, "Resident doctors have several demands and we have corresponded with the government over the same. So far, we have received only assurances. That's why we have taken a tough stand. As the state Assembly is in session, we have informed the government that if our demands are not fulfilled during the current session of the legislature, we will go on mass leave in January."

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Among MARD's demands are the creation of 1,432 posts for senior resident doctors, the alleviation of problems caused by inadequate and dilapidated hostels in government medical colleges, the immediate filling of associate and assistant professor posts, immediate disbursal of dearness allowance, implementation of equal pay for all resident doctors and removal of disparity in the pay of senior resident doctors.

The MARD was formed for the welfare of the resident doctors and to improve their working environment. Last year, resident doctors across Maharashtra went on an indefinite strike demanding a fee waiver, better hostel conditions and other issues.