12000 docs to observe No Practice Day

Over 12000 doctors in Mumbai alone are expected to observe No practice day on February 24 in protest over assaults on doctors by angry relatives or patients.

All doctors will abstain from planned and elective work though all emergency cases will be attended to. A delegation of doctors is also expected to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan for the immediate passing of an ordinance that will ensure safety of the doctors.

States like Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have already passed the above-mentioned ordinance that Maharashtra doctors are seeking.

The issue has been supported by 35 organisations of doctors, nurses and medical staff. The calls for protest comes after two doctors from KEM were beaten up a fortnight ago by relatives of a deceased patient who did not want the postmortem conducted.

Dr T P Lahane, head of ophthalmology at JJ Hospital said that the doctors had sent an appeal to the central and state government for an amendment to the current laws safeguarding the interest of doctors, but to no avail. "This no practice day is our last resort. Everything else has fallen on deaf ears."

Organizations involved

Indian Medical Association (Maharashtra State), Association of Medical Consultants (Mumbai), General Practitioners Association, Maharashtra Medical Teachers Association, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of India, National Integrated Medical Practitioners Association, Homeopathic Integrated Medical Practitioners Association, Indian Radiology and Imaging Association, IOAS, MOA (Maharashtra), AOI (Mumbai West), Indian Dental Association (Maharashtra), Association of CRS of India, Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynecologists Association, Mahim Dharavi Medical Association, Bombay Nursing Homes Association, Maharashtra Ophthalmic Society, Bombay Orthopaedic Association, Kandivali Medical Association, Bhayendar Medical Association, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Andheri Medical Association, A Ward Medical Association, C Ward Medical Association, D Ward Medical Association, Bandra Medical Association, Bombay Psychiatry Society, Mumbai Urological Society, Malad Medical Association, Nursing Home Association, Midtown Medicos, All local Medical Associations, All Medical Specialty Associations, Mumbai Urology Association, Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists