State to invoke MESMA against doctors

In the last few years, doctors and nurses have called out innumerable strikes because of which, patients suffered and health system collapsed as well. In order to curb flash strikes and sudden mass leave of doctors, the state government is now planning to invoke the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) against the health workers. The Medical Education Ministry has sent the proposal for the same to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

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MESMA is applied for six months and when the stipulated time period is over, it is issued again. Likewise, the act was issued to doctors and nurses on April 1 and the stipulated time period ended on October 1. So, the Medical Education Ministry has sent a fresh proposal to the government to invoke MESMA again.

What is MESMA?

• Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act 2011
• MESMA is invoked to protect the common man’s rights and to ensure that essential services are not affected
• The state can take action against the violators
• MESMA is invoked to maintain smooth services of health services, milk, electricity, and other essential services

In the next 3-4 days, the state government will decide to invoke MESMA or not. Resident and intern doctors, nursing and technician staff go on sudden strike to raise their demands. Due to which, the health services in the state is affected,”