The number of doctors moving to other jobs or seeking voluntary retirement is abnormally high. From their complaints it is clear that this is an entirely avoidable problem and the government has itself to blame for the worsening condition in hospitals which play a major role in the city's health services.

Like other public hospitals, JJ and Grant have suffered from years of neglect. A long-running sore is the shortage of finances as a consequence of which medical equipment and facilities are never adequate for the needs of patients, medical personnel and students. The constant battle to provide appropriate medical services despite these handicaps is not sufficiently appreciated outside and least of all,apparently, by the present government.

According to doctors who are quitting JJ and Grant, poor working conditions and service conditions were brought to the attention of the Minister of Health, Daulatrao Aher, over a series of meetings with the Maharashtra State Medical Teachers' Association. Promises were made but not kept. Sympathetic noises are not a substitute for action.

Aher may now try to argue that replacements can be found in due course and work will resume normally. But that is not the point. Senior experienced doctors are amongst those leaving JJ and Grant and they will be difficult to replace. Patients and students are bound to suffer during the transition. And the exodus is demoralising for everyone in the institutions.

Furthermore, the basic issues of facilities, of pay and allowances due to doctors in government service and the need to regularise promotions, will not go away. They have to be attended to whatever the constraints on the government. The public interest demands an earlysolution.

Aher would be unwise to interpret the resignations as a means of forcing his hand. He has been negligent in letting things come to this pass and should come up with answers before a more serious crisis develops in the city's overstrained public health services.