Kalyan-Dombivli civic doctors strike after alleged assault by Sena corporator
Medical staff at Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli and other civic-run healthcare facilities across Kalyan-Dombivli went on strike on Tuesday. The protest was launched after hospital staff were allegedly assaulted late Monday night by a local politician, his supporters, and the relatives of a pregnant patient over a treatment delay.
The strike, which involved doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, led to the suspension of routine medical services and outpatient department (OPD) consultations across all major civic-run hospitals and healthcare centres in the region. Emergency services, however, were not affected and continued to operate.
The confrontation began after 33-year-old Priyanka Ugmale was admitted to Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli in an advanced stage of pregnancy late on Monday night. Upon examination, doctors discovered that the umbilical cord had looped itself twice around the foetus. The medical team decided that an emergency C-section was required.
According to hospital sources, doctors anticipated that the newborn would require immediate admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth. Because the NICU at Shastrinagar Hospital was already full, the medical team delayed the surgery to contact other area hospitals and secure an available NICU bed before operating.
During this delay, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, his supporters, and the patient's relatives allegedly assaulted the hospital staff. Protesters claimed that CCTV footage captured Mhatre participating in the attack on the medical team.
While police officials stated that the process to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) over the attack was underway, protesters expressed concern over the investigation. The striking staff alleged that attempts were being made to file a case only against the patient's relatives, despite the corporator's alleged involvement. Protesters stated that their agitation would continue until strict action is taken against all individuals involved in the assault.
The Kalyan and Dombivli units of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have expressed solidarity with the striking civic hospital staff. The association warned that if strict action is not initiated against all of the accused by Wednesday, all private doctors affiliated with the IMA across the twin cities will also suspend their services.
