The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed Maharashtra’s resident doctors to immediately end their ongoing strike and resume duties, expressing serious concern over the disruption of healthcare services and its impact on patients across the state. The court also cautioned that doctors refusing to return to work could face salary-related consequences.
High Court Stresses Patient Welfare
Hearing the matter, a division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge, along with Justice Gautam Ankhad, observed that the primary responsibility of medical professionals is towards patient care. The judges voiced concern that prolonged disruption of hospital services could jeopardise thousands of patients dependent on government healthcare facilities.
While directing the doctors to resume work after the lunch break, the bench assured them that their legal challenge against the government’s decision would receive a full hearing.
Court Warns Of Salary Consequences
The High Court made it clear that resident doctors who continue to stay away from duty despite its direction may face withholding of salaries. At the same time, the bench emphasised that the concerns raised by the protesting doctors would be examined on merit during the proceedings.
The matter has now been scheduled for its next hearing on September 8.
Strike Triggered By Government Notification
The indefinite strike was launched by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) after the state government issued a notification on June 30 permitting qualified homoeopathy practitioners to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) under specified provisions and prescribe modern medicines.
The decision sparked strong opposition from resident doctors, who argued that the policy raises concerns regarding medical regulation, patient safety and the legal framework governing clinical practice.
Medical Organisations Extend Support
Apart from MARD, several medical bodies extended support to the agitation, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Maharashtra State Resident Doctors Association, the Association of State Medical Interns, the Maharashtra Association of Gazetted Medical Officers’ Group-A, and the Maharashtra State Medical Teachers Association.
The organisations have collectively demanded that the registration process for BHMS-CCMP practitioners under the Maharashtra Medical Council be suspended until the issue is legally examined.
Emergency Services Were Exempted
While announcing the strike, MARD had clarified that emergency and casualty services would continue during the initial phase of the protest to minimise inconvenience to critically ill patients.
The association has maintained that its agitation is not directed against the homoeopathy system or its practitioners, but is focused on ensuring that any policy affecting public healthcare is introduced only after adequate legal review, scientific assessment and an appropriate regulatory mechanism is in place.
