Kalyan and Dombivli doctors suspend services to protest assault on hospital staff
Private doctors in Kalyan and Dombivli suspended outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD) services on Wednesday, July 10, to protest an assault on hospital staff in Dombivli. The medical strike, which exempted emergency treatments, coincided with statewide black ribbon protests by resident doctors and nurses demanding enhanced security and protection for healthcare workers.
The protest was triggered by an incident in Dombivli that led to the arrest of corporator Ramesh Mhatre. Despite the arrest, Central MARD Maharashtra proceeded with a statewide one-day black ribbon protest on July 9, emphasizing that the safety of healthcare professionals is critical for uninterrupted services. The Maharashtra State Nurses Association also launched a statewide black ribbon protest starting July 10, warning of intensified agitation by July 13 if the government fails to take concrete action.
In the Kalyan-Dombivli region, private clinics and hospitals shut down their routine services. Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Dr. Rajesh Raju confirmed that OPD and IPD services remained closed, while National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) office-bearers Dr. Pankaj Upadhyay and Dr. Rahul Dubey demanded stringent action and improved safety measures at healthcare facilities.
The protesting medical associations raised concerns over an alleged 12-hour delay by the police in registering the First Information Report (FIR). They also questioned the role of police personnel who were assigned to corporator Ramesh Mhatre's security. The associations stated that their protests would continue until they receive assurance of impartial action.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding enhanced security in government hospitals, protection for healthcare staff, and compensation for those injured in the Dombivli assault. Additionally, the Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors’ Association (MSRDA) called for a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation supervised by senior police authorities. Patient rights activist Prof. Bejon Kumar Misra also demanded strict action and deterrent punishment for those identified on camera.
