There is some truth in grievances raised by MARD: insufficient pay, poor living and working conditions, long working hours, and insensitive or absent redressal mechanisms. This was the organisation's 16th strike in as many years. Their frustration is understandable if conditions have not changed significantly even with several changes in government. But the larger concern is the grave consequences to the lives and health of lakhs of patients who have nothing against the doctors, and have little leverage with the government. In several instances emergencies were neglected, almost amounting to rights violation.