Indefinite strike by doctors in Ahmednagar due to assault: IMA

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http://www.zeenews.com/states/2009-01-01/495363news.html


Mumbai , Jan 1 Doctors in Ahmednagar have gone on an indefinite strike to protest against the increasing incidences of assaults on fellow doctors and their hospitals.

The strike would continue till appropriate action is not taken by the government to protect both private and government doctors, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Ahmednagar unit said.
In last three days, a few doctors including renowned eye specialist Prakash Kankaria, who is also the vice-president of Indian Opthalmic society, was attacked by an irked mob.
The activists, allegedly belonging to Sambhaji Brigade, also attacked a resident doctor of a private multi-facility hospital. Another incident took place in a government rural hospital.
IMA Ahmednagar unit has submitted a memorandum in this regard to the district collector.
The state unit has also written a letter to the state Home Minister Jayant Patil appealing the government to look into the matter and take necessary action immediately.
" Time and again we have been promised by the government to look into assault on doctors and we were also promised that a law would be enacted,"Secretary, IMA state unit, Dr Suhas H Pingle said in the letter.
Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions ( Prevention of Violence and Damage of Property) Act, 2008 was scheduled to be introduced in the winter session of legislature in Nagpur last month. It is likely to be introduced in the budget session commencing from March 16, 2009.
The Act provides for a fine of Rs 50,000 on anyone attacking a doctor or a hospital employee, vandalising hospital property.