Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the state government to file an affidavit mentioning the steps it had taken to improve the deplorable working and living conditions of resident doctors in four state hospitals — JJ Hospital, BJ Medical College in Pune and government medical colleges at Miraj in Sangli district and Ambejogai in Beed district.
A division bench of the high court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist Afak Mandaviya who sought action against striking doctors. According to him, thousands of patients suffer due to frequent strike of resident doctors in civic and state run hospitals.
On Wednesday, after looking at photographs of some government hospitals, the court said, “This shows that overall conditions are deplorable.” The court has directed the state government to file its report within fifteen days.
The Bombay high court last Friday gave an ultimatum to striking resident doctors, telling them to resume duty by 8 am on Saturday. The court also said if doctors do not resume work, the hospital management and state government is free to take stern action against them.
