Resident Doctors Meet Aaditya Thackeray Over Stipends And Workplace Safety
A delegation of resident doctors representing the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors met with political leader Aaditya Thackeray in Mumbai on Friday to submit a detailed memorandum seeking urgent intervention on several long-pending issues, including stipend revisions and workplace safety. The representatives, from both the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) MARD and Central MARD, highlighted the challenges currently faced by resident doctors across Maharashtra.
The delegation that met with Thackeray included Central MARD President Dr. Atharva Shinde, General Secretary Dr. Shankar Jagtap, Academic Secretary Dr. Vishal Mule, Central MARD General Secretary Dr. Vinayak Shah, as well as Dr. Ravi Sapkal, Dr. Ayushi Bafna, and Dr. Mahesh Tikde. During the meeting, they outlined a series of financial and infrastructural grievances affecting medical professionals in the state.
Among the primary demands raised in the memorandum was a hike in stipends and the resolution of persistent delays in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments. The doctors also highlighted the administrative hurdles they face, specifically pointing to long-pending registrations with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) which they noted have been affecting young doctors' careers.
Beyond financial and administrative delays, the delegation emphasized the critical need for workplace safety reforms and the improvement of inadequate hostel infrastructure. The resident doctors also demanded comprehensive health insurance coverage, the implementation of a uniform Travel Allowance and Daily Allowance (TA/DA) policy, and reforms in the examination process of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.
According to the delegation, the combination of financial issues, registration delays, poor accommodation, and safety concerns has continued to impact their daily working conditions. Following the discussion, Thackeray assured the delegation that he would raise these concerns with the relevant authorities and extend his support towards resolving the issues.
Dr. Atharva Shinde, president of Central MARD, stated that the association remains committed to engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to improve the overall welfare of resident doctors and to help strengthen the healthcare system in Maharashtra.
