Over 40 doctors contract TB; the last doctor to be infected gets only 15 days leave
A first year female resident doctor of KEM Hospital was positively diagnosed with TB on Wednesday. However, according to the Maharashtra Association Resident Doctors (MARD), she is only being granted 15 days of leave. This is despite the fact, that TB requires 2 months of intensive treatment and care to reduce the risk of side effects and spread of the infection.
Dr. Avinash Supe (Dean – KEM Hospital) has said, “I will grant two months’ leave to the doctor, even more if needed. There will be no issues about that.” He added that the resident doctor had joined last month and was diagnosed with broncho pneumonia during screening. “She may have contracted TB before joining KEM hospital”, he said.
It is critical to note these important stats in light of the above case – In the last three years, 42 resident doctors have been treated for TB, 1 of them died. Presently, around 15 resident doctors are on TB treatment. Across state-run medical colleges, over 21 doctors are undergoing treatment for TB. Over the last 3 years, 11 resident doctors of KEM have contracted TB, 15 in Sion hospital, 9 in Nair and 5 in JJ hospital.
Recently MARD had gone on a two day strike to highlight some of the resident doctors’ demands. One of which was two months leave for TB treatment. Doctors are feeling victimized and are fast demanding a formal government resolution to these issues. The next step for MARD would be to approach the human rights commission, given that they work 24 hours without a single day of leave.
President, Dr. Mundada and General Secretary Ayudh Magdum are heading MARD’s push, the highlight being on paid leave for doctors suffering with TB. With the MCI (Medical Council of India) granting the power to decide tenure of leave for doctors to the state government, the onus is now on the Maharashtra state government to ratify a resolution that formally acknowledges doctors demands.
