New Delhi: The Resident Doctors Association, protesting against the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, has called off its 11-day strike following assurances from the Supreme Court. The strike, which had drawn national attention, was officially ended by the Resident Doctors Association of Delhi AIIMS after the court’s intervention.
The Supreme Court, in a significant move, directed the Secretary of the Health Ministry to engage with state Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) to ensure the safety of medical professionals across the country. This directive comes in the wake of the tragic incident on 9 August at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, where a woman doctor was raped and murdered.
The ongoing nationwide protest, led by the Resident Doctors’ Association affiliated with the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FIMA), has caused widespread concern. In a bid to address these concerns, the Supreme Court instructed the protesting doctors to resume their duties immediately, emphasising that justice and healthcare must not be disrupted.
In its hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, took suo motu cognisance of the Kolkata incident. The court established a National Task Force earlier this week to develop a national protocol ensuring the safety and protection of doctors and healthcare workers. Additionally, the court ordered the Health Ministry to create a portal where suggestions on doctor safety can be submitted to the National Task Force.
The horrific incident in Kolkata has sparked outrage across the nation, with protests erupting in every state. The Supreme Court criticised the state government for its delayed response in registering an FIR and for allowing widespread vandalism of government facilities during the protests.
In response to the court’s actions, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced plans to intervene in the Supreme Court’s suo motu proceedings related to the Kolkata incident. The IMA has expressed its support for the Resident Doctors Association and is preparing to present its findings to the National Task Force. The association has also called for the enactment of a law specifically addressing violence against doctors, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections in the healthcare sector.
The IMA, in a letter to the Union Health Minister, reiterated the necessity of legislation to protect doctors from attacks, underscoring the heightened risks faced by medical professionals in the current climate. The association is actively organising teams to provide crucial information to the task force members as part of its broader efforts to secure the safety of healthcare workers nationwide.
With the strike now officially over, attention will shift to the National Task Force’s work and the potential legal reforms aimed at safeguarding doctors and ensuring that such tragic incidents are not repeated.
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