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MUMBAI – A silent crisis is brewing within the corridors of Mumbai’s civic hospitals. Since 2021, 180 super-specialty doctors—the highly trained experts performing complex surgeries and treating life-threatening conditions—have been the bedrock of the city’s expanded public healthcare system. However, these professionals are now voicing a collective demand for job regularization and salary revisions, highlighting a five-year stagnation that threatens the stability of medical services for nearly 20 million residents.
The dispute centers on doctors hired by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as “DNB Teachers” (Grade 1 and 2). Despite carrying the dual burden of high-volume clinical care and mentoring the next generation of specialists, these doctors remain on short-term contracts, receiving no increments or benefits while facing an ever-increasing patient load.
The Core Grievances: High Stakes, Stagnant Rewards
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in tertiary care, the BMC moved to strengthen its “peripheral” hospitals—facilities like Shatabdi (Kandivali), Rajawadi (Ghatkopar), and Bhabha (Bandra). The goal was to transform these into “mini-medical colleges” by hiring 186 super-specialists to teach Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses and provide advanced treatment locally.
Today, 180 of those doctors remain, but their professional reality is stark:
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Contractual Limbo: Doctors are signed to six-month contracts, renewed only after a mandatory “one-day break” to prevent them from technically claiming permanent status.
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Pay Stagnation: Most earn a fixed monthly salary of ₹2 lakh. While this may seem substantial, it has remained unchanged for five years. In contrast, under the 7th Pay Commission, even junior MBBS doctors in government service can gross over ₹1 lakh, with permanent super-specialists earning significantly more through tiered increments and allowances.
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Work-Life Strain: “In a year, we are allowed only 14 days of leave,” says Dr. Rajesh More, a senior consultant in general surgery at Shatabdi Hospital, who has served the civic system in various capacities since 2013.
Advocacy and Recent Developments
The frustration reached a boiling point last week when a delegation of doctors met with Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade. While the meeting concluded with “positive assurances,” the medical community remains skeptical given past precedents. In 2023, the BMC approved salary hikes ranging from 25% to 60% for other contractual medical officers, yet this specific group of super-specialists was excluded.
The doctors’ plea has gained political and legal weight. In November 2025, former Rajya Sabha member Kumar Ketkar urged Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to intervene, emphasizing that the health of Mumbai’s 2 crore citizens depends on keeping these “skilled hands” in the public sector.
Furthermore, the doctors point to a landmark Supreme Court ruling from last year, which regularized thousands of Class 4 BMC workers. The court famously noted that the “State cannot balance its budgets on the backs of daily wage earners,” a principle the specialists argue should apply to highly skilled medical professionals as well.
Public Health Implications: Why It Matters to You
For the average Mumbaikar, this isn’t just a labor dispute; it is a matter of life and death. The presence of these specialists in peripheral hospitals has fundamentally changed how healthcare is delivered in the suburbs.
1. Reducing the “Referral Trap”
Previously, a patient in Kandivali needing advanced cardiac or oncological care often had to travel hours to South Mumbai’s KEM or Sion hospitals. This journey frequently resulted in lost time during “golden hours” for emergencies. Currently, peripheral hospitals handle roughly 40% of cases that would have otherwise been referred out, saving lives and reducing the crushing burden on tertiary centers.
2. Training the Future
These 180 doctors are not just surgeons; they are teachers. They mentor DNB trainees—future specialists who provide 24/7 coverage in wards. If these senior experts leave for the lucrative private sector due to job insecurity, the entire training pipeline for Mumbai’s future doctors could collapse.
3. Stability of Care
A high turnover of contractual staff leads to inconsistent patient care. Permanent positions foster a sense of ownership and long-term commitment to the community’s health outcomes.
The Counter-Argument: Budgetary Constraints
The BMC, one of the wealthiest civic bodies in Asia, nonetheless faces complex financial pressures. Regularizing 180 doctors at super-specialty pay scales would cost the city approximately ₹43 crore annually in base salaries alone, not including pensions and benefits.
Critics of regularization often argue that contractual hiring allows for “merit-based” flexibility, ensuring the city can adapt to changing health needs. However, healthcare advocates counter that “flexibility” should not come at the cost of basic labor rights and fair compensation for those performing essential public services.
What This Means for Your Health Decisions
While the administrative battle continues, health-conscious residents should be aware of the following:
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Access Advanced Care Locally: Do not assume you must travel to South Mumbai for specialty care. Check the departments at your nearest BMC peripheral hospital (e.g., Shatabdi, Rajawadi, Bhabha); many now offer advanced surgeries and consultations that were unavailable five years ago.
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Stay Informed: The stability of these hospitals depends on the retention of these experts. Public support for healthcare budgets and fair working conditions often influences civic policy.
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Utilize Public Schemes: Regardless of the doctors’ employment status, patients remain eligible for free or subsidized care under schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) at these facilities.
As the 8th Pay Commission is set to take effect in early 2026, the medical community will be watching closely to see if the BMC finally integrates its most skilled “contractual” assets into a permanent, sustainable framework.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
References
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Medical Dialogues. (2026, Feb 16). Mumbai: 180 super-speciality doctors demand job regularisation and pay revision. Link
