Dr Pratik Debaje reported that approximately 17,000 to 18,000 resident doctors in Maharashtra are currently on strike, significantly impacting hospital operations.

The strike was initiated to support a nationwide protest against the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The ongoing strike has led to the suspension of elective services, including outpatient departments (OPDs), operation theatres (OTs), and lab procedures, causing considerable inconvenience to patients across Mumbai and other regions.

Despite the strike affecting routine services, emergency services are continuing as usual, ensuring that urgent medical needs are still being met.

The Central-MARD is calling for a transparent investigation into the Kolkata incident, better security measures in hospitals, and improved facilities for resident doctors, including functional CCTV systems and quality hostels.

Resident doctors at JJ Hospital and other major hospitals are conducting peaceful protests. They held a sit-in at Azad Maidan on Friday and held placards and sloganeered seeking justice for the Kolkata medic.

The Maharashtra Association of Bonded Resident Doctors (MABRD) has expressed support for the strike and warned that they may escalate the protest from August 16 if their demands are not addressed.

The strike has led to a significant backlog of elective procedures and appointments, impacting thousands of patients who rely on these services for their healthcare needs.

The striking doctors are advocating for improved security, including better-equipped guards and fully functional CCTV systems, to ensure the safety of medical professionals and patients.

On August 9, a trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Hospital where she worked. Currently, the CBI is probing the case.