Feeling ditched by state govt, resident doctors to go on strike on Oct 1

Nagpur: Resident doctors in the government medical colleges across the state were assured about the tuition fee waiver by the State government during the second wave of Covid-19. But, the government has still not waived off any fees. Many resident doctors who worked hard during the Covid-19 have already completed their PG and still awaiting the fee waiver.The Central Committee of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has decided to resort to a state-wide strike on October 1.
“Medical education minister Amit Deshmukh had assured about the tuition fee waiver, special Covid allowance and better hostels for the resident doctors in July and August. We have been following up the demand since then. But virtually, no progress has happened in this issue in last 45 days,” said Dr Dnyaneshwar Dhobale Patil, President of central committee of MARD.
Resident doctors told TOI that the medical education ministry has given in-principle approval to their demands subject to the approval from the Finance ministry headed by Ajit Pawar. The delegation of resident doctors met Pawar in August. “Finance minister had assured us that he will clear the file as soon as he receives it from the medical education department. But, the file is still not reached the finance department. This made us think that the government is deliberately delaying the just demand of Covid warriors just because the pandemic is well under control now and our services are no more needed,” said Dr Dhobale.
The central committee has decided to send one last reminder to the government this week and then resort to a state-wide strike on October 1. Resident doctors are considered as backbone of the government hospitals in state. As they have lost their academic years, studies and practical exposure during last two years due to Covid-19 pandemic, they are demanding tuition fee waiver.
Meanwhile, entire batch of resident doctors has completed their post graduation (PG) and pass-out from the university. “We don’t know how we will be getting the benefit of fee waiver as we have already completed our PG. This is an insult to the Covid warriors,” said a MARD member who has recently completed MD pediatrics.