Maharashtra's Doctors Sound the Alarm: A 24-Hour Strike Against 'Draconian' Health Bills and NMC Policies

A palpable tension gripped Maharashtra's healthcare landscape as doctors, united under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra, launched a sweeping 24-hour strike. Beginning at 6 AM on Tuesday and extending until 6 AM on Wednesday, this dramatic shutdown of non-essential services is a powerful declaration against what medical professionals are calling 'draconian' policies and a growing burden of regulations.

The core of the doctors' protest revolves around two critical issues: the proposed Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Bill, 2023, and contentious amendments to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act.

Doctors argue that these legislative changes threaten to cripple the healthcare system, particularly small and medium-sized hospitals, and create an untenable environment for medical practice.

The impact of the strike was keenly felt across the state. Out-patient departments (OPDs) stood largely deserted, routine surgeries were postponed, and elective procedures came to a grinding halt.

However, in a testament to their unwavering commitment to life-saving care, doctors ensured that all emergency services remained fully operational. This included Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Cardiac Care Units (CCUs), casualty departments, in-patient services, critical surgeries, accident and trauma services, post-operative care, labor rooms, deliveries, blood banks, and essential diagnostic services.

At the heart of their demands is the outright scrapping of the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Bill, 2023.

Doctors contend that this bill, if enacted, would mandate registration for virtually all medical facilities, subjecting them to excessive and often contradictory regulation. The IMA warns of potential harassment, exorbitant penalties, and a suffocating dual regulatory framework that would force many independent practitioners and smaller clinics to shut down.

They describe it as 'anti-doctor' and a pathway to the closure of vital community health resources.

Beyond the state bill, the doctors are equally vocal about their grievances with amendments to the NMC Act. They demand the withdrawal of these controversial changes and a reconsideration of policies such as 'NextGEN PGM' and the 'one nation one post-graduate' policy.

Other long-standing issues with the NMC include fee regulation for only 50% of seats in private medical colleges and the contentious introduction of bridge courses, which many medical professionals view as undermining the rigor of medical education.

The strike is not merely a disruption; it's a desperate plea for dialogue and a re-evaluation of policies that doctors believe are being pushed through without adequate consultation or understanding of ground realities.

The medical community fears that these new regulations will not only increase the cost of healthcare for patients but also stifle innovation and deter new doctors from entering the profession. As Maharashtra's doctors stand united, their message is clear: they seek a healthcare system that supports both providers and patients, free from what they perceive as arbitrary and detrimental legislative burdens.