Four Mumbai civic hospitals get armed guards, curbs on entry after doctors’ strike

Hospitals get 13-14 extra guards, allow only those with passes to enter

After a week of protest, resident doctors in the city have a reason to rejoice – four civic-run hospitals have posted armed guards and increased security on their premises.

OPD services resumed at Sion hospital on Saturday, soon after doctors ended their strike.(Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

In the wake of several incidents of assaults, resident doctors had held protests across the state demanding the government take steps to ensure their safety.

Dr Avinash Supe, director, medical education, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said, “We have posted 13-14 additional security guards at KEM, Nair, Sion and Cooper hospital. We are restricting the entry of those without pass or multiple relatives in sensitive wards.” 

KEM hospital, which has five entry points, has posted guards at every entrance to ensure people enter only after getting an entry ticket. 

The police department, too, is coordinating with medical colleges in districts across the state.

“We have deployed two armed policemen and one constable on 24x7 duty. In addition to the curbs on entry, the security personnel is keeping a close watch on emergency units and sensitive wards,” said Dr Ajay Chandanwale, dean, BJ Medical College, Pune.

The protests by doctors ended only after an assurance that 700 armed and 1,100 unarmed security personnel from the Maharashtra Police Security Corporation would be deployed within 15 days. 

“We are happy with the security measures. We know the system can’t change overnight. We hope the state government sticks to its April 5 deadline and fulfills the promises made to us,” said Dr Parthiv Sanghvi, state secretary of the Indian Medical Association, which was at the forefront of the doctors’ protests.

Dr Swapnil Meshram, general secretary of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said the Bombay high court has ordered a review meeting every 15 days to keep a tab on the steps taken towards safety of doctors across the state. “We will put forth the ground reality in front of the court every fortnight. This will definitely help us resolve our issues. The situation seems to be under control for now,” said Dr Meshram.