Kalyan-Dombivli Hospital Staff Strike Over Alleged Assault by Politician and Patient's Relatives

Routine medical services and OPD consultations across all major civic-run hospitals and healthcare centres in Kalyan-Dombivli were suspended on Tuesday after their doctors, nurses and paramedical staff went on a strike to protest the assault of a hospital’s staffers allegedly by a Shiv Sena corporator, his supporters and a pregnant patient’s relatives over purported delay in treatment the previous night. Emergency services weren’t hit.

While police said the process to lodge an FIR over the attack was underway, the protesters alleged that attempts were being made to lodge a case only against the patient’s relatives despite the corporator, Ramesh Mhatre, being seen in CCTV footage attacking the staff. They said their agitation will continue until strict action is taken against everyone involved.

Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Kalyan and Dombivli units said if action is not initiated against all of the accused by Wednesday, all private doctors affiliated with them across the twin cities will suspend their services in solidarity.

A 33-year-old, Priyanka Ugmale, was admitted to Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli in an advanced stage of pregnancy late on Monday. Doctors found the umbilical cord had looped itself twice around the foetus and decided to perform a C-section. Hospital sources said doctors anticipated that the newborn would require admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but as the hospital’s NICU was full, the medical team began contacting other hospitals to secure a NICU bed before proceeding with the surgery.

Meanwhile, the patient’s relatives allegedly contacted Mhatre, who reached the hospital and confronted the doctors over the alleged delay in treatment. The argument escalated, and CCTV footage purportedly shows Mhatre assaulting a gynaecologist, following which his supporters allegedly attacked other doctors and hospital staffers. Sources said Mhatre was upset over the delay and claimed doctors did not respond to his phone calls. Doctors, however, maintained that they were busy arranging a NICU bed, which was necessary before performing the procedure.

Following the attack, the patient was shifted to another civic facility, where doctors successfully performed the C-section and the newborn was admitted to its NICU.

After a meeting with IMA Kalyan president Dr Rajesh Raghav Raju, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) commissioner Abhinav Goel asked the doctors and staffers who were attacked to lodge a police complaint and assured them that strict legal action will be taken against all those responsible. He said the civic administration will strengthen security at all KDMC hospitals and urged the protesting staffers to resume services.