Medical services at government-run hospitals in Delhi were severely hit as over 20 thousand doctors proceeded on mass casual leave yesterday in solidarity with their counterparts in Maharashtra. Resident doctors from around 40 government hospitals, including RML, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital stayed away from work, while those at AIIMS continued with their protest against assaults on doctors by wearing helmets at work for the second day.<br/><br/>A number of private hospitals, including Sir Ganga Ram hospital said they have decided to extend support to agitating doctors in Maharashtra and their OPD services will not be available today. <br/><br/>Despite assurance from Maharashtra Chief Minister on enhancing security for doctors in hospitals and Bombay High Court's order to resume work immediately, over 4000 protesting doctors refused to resume their services yesterday. The court asked doctors to resolve their issues amicably with the government.<br/><br/>Backing resident doctors, the Medical Teachers' Association has threatened mass resignation if their demands are not fulfilled within two days. The Indian Medical Association, which has around 2.7 lakh members across the country, has also supported the strike. Union Health Minister J P Nadda also appealed to the doctors to get back to work and asked states to take measures to improve security of doctors.