SGH doctors threaten to go on mass leave if demands not met

PUNE: As resident doctors at the Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) are facing problems due to poor infrastructure at the hostel and delay in the payment of the stipend, over 300 resident doctors have threatened to go on mass leave by the end of this month, if their demands are not met.   

Speaking about the inconvenience faced by the resident doctors staying at the hostel, Dr Ajay Vane, General Secretary, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, said resident doctors are facing several problems at the hostel.

“The tubelights, fans, electric boards, regulators of fans are not working properly in many rooms. Despite discussing the issues with the concerned authorities several times, no steps have been taken yet. Also, washroom facilities are also not being maintained properly,” said Vane.

He said the stipend of the resident doctors is also delayed. “We are expected to get stipend by the fifth of every month. However, we have been facing delays in getting the stipend and we have not received that yet,” said Vane.  

He said water heaters in bathrooms do not function while many have been damaged. 

“Electric boards in the hostel are seen lying open at several places. Also, lifts at the hostel are not working. Due to these things, the resident doctors are facing severe inconvenience,” |said Vane.

He told Sakal Times that during the discussion with the college administration, the issues were highlighted in mid-January. “Though the infrastructure problems are now being looked into, the stipend issue remains unsolved,” said Vane.

If all issues are not solved, the resident doctors from the SGH are planning to mass bunk by the end of February, said Vane. 

When contacted, Dean, BJ Medical College, Dr Ajay Chandanwale said students had discussed the issues with the authorities in the past.

“We have received complaints lodged by the resident doctors and we have started the repair work. All necessary steps will be taken,” said Chandanwale.