Maha doctors' strike: Medical Teachers Association now gives 48-hour ultimatum

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] Mar. 23 (ANI): Backing the ongoing strike by the resident doctors in Maharashtra, the Medical Teachers Association on Thursday gave an ultimatum of 48 hours demanding that their demands be met in the given time period. The members of the Medical Teachers Association have also threatened of mass resignation. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors ( MARD) earlier today asserted that the doctors on strike are ready to join as the Bombay High Court has assured to provide armed police personnel for their security. "The court has requested the doctors to join back to services and simultaneously directed the state government to allow only one attendant of the patient and appoint armed police personnel at the main gate of the respective wards of the hospital," Rahul Rotala, the lawyer representing the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, told ANI. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said if a doctor is attacked on duty, he will be given medical aid borne by the government. The Chief Minister directed to provide security to sensitive hospitals with armed policeman and work for a long-term plan like monitored CCTV network. Fadnavis proposed setting up of an apex council with the government representatives and doctors and its interaction every three months to solve the issues time to time. The Bombay High Court earlier in the day ordered the doctors on strike to resume their duties and give some time to the government for providing them proper security. The High Court also ordered the state government to provide security at all government hospitals so that the doctors can work without fear. The High Court ordered that no punitive action should be taken against the protesting doctors once they resume their duties. (ANI)