India, Sept. 22 -- The Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Hospital in Jogeshwari, Mumbai's largest trauma care facility, is caught in a deepening crisis as nine of its doctors have been working without contracts or job security since September 5.

These doctors are part of a team of 18 consultants who divide their duties between Cooper Hospital in Andheri/Vile Parle and the Jogeshwari trauma centre. While Cooper's doctors also await fresh contracts, the Jogeshwari unit has borne the brunt of the uncertainty, with critical services paralysed for nearly two weeks when the contracts first lapsed.

The doctors' one-year agreements expired on August 24. Traditionally, these contracts are extended seamlessly, with the paperwork follo...