Kusum Singh (45) died of tuberculosis at Sion Hospital, with doctors on strike. “There was no one to attend to her last night,” said her husband, Krishnalal Singh.

At Oshiwara Maternity Home, Nikhat Sheikh (24) was discharged while undergoing labour pains. She had been admitted on Wednesday evening but was asked to leave.

Four-year-old Bhumi Kharwa, accidentally poked in the eye by her brother, was refused admission to R N Cooper Hospital. Her father, who does waterproofing work, could not afford even an X-ray at a private hospital.

Narayan Shashagar (68) lies on the veranda of JJ Hospital after he was forcibly discharged from the ward where he had been admitted to for a month. Suffering from a urinary infection, Shashagar, a farmer in Buldana, has been asked to return in eight days.

It was Day Three of the resident doctors’ strike and there was no sign that patients’ sufferings will end, with the government and doctors yet to negotiate.

“The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) should resume work and then hold talks. To go on strike is inhuman,” said Rajesh Tope, minister for medical education. “The last option will be to impose ESMA or other such laws. We are requesting them to rejoin work. We are considering their demands and will take a couple of days to decide.”

On the demand for higher stipend, he said, “States with our size and population pay much less. Yet we are willing to increase their stipend but they should not be so adamant.”

... contd.