AIIMS resident doctors call off strike after SC assurances | Fusion - WeRIndia

Resident doctors at Delhi’s AIIMS hospital have ended their nearly two-week-long strike following assurances from the Supreme Court.

The strike was in response to the rape and murder of a colleague at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital earlier this month.

The Supreme Court, acknowledging the severity of the incident, appealed to medical professionals nationwide to trust the court and resume their duties.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) at AIIMS announced their decision to call off the 11-day strike.

They cited the Supreme Court’s appeal and its commitment to addressing the broader issue of safety and security for healthcare workers.

The RDA expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for recognizing the incident at RG Kar Medical College and taking steps to ensure the safety of medical professionals across the country.

The RDA also emphasized that no punitive action would be taken against doctors who participated in the protests.

They reaffirmed their dedication to advocating for the rights and safety of healthcare workers through continued engagement with authorities and ministries.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court warned that doctors abstaining from work could severely impact those in need of medical care.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud urged doctors to return to work, assuring them of safety and protection.

The court emphasized that it had taken charge of the matter from the Calcutta High Court to ensure justice and safety for the medical community.

The Supreme Court took suo moto cognisance of the horrific crime at RG Kar Hospital, where a junior doctor’s body was discovered on August 9 with severe injuries.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.

As part of its directives, the court ordered the formation of a 10-member task force to recommend measures for preventing violence against medical professionals and ensuring safe working conditions.

Additionally, the court asked the CBI to submit a status report on the ongoing investigation. The apex court also instructed the West Bengal government to report on the vandalism at RG Kar Hospital.

The incident has also ignited political tensions, with opposition parties demanding accountability from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who oversees the state’s police and health departments.

The Calcutta High Court has also questioned the state’s handling of the incident, including delays in filing a police case and the reassignment of the hospital’s chief after his resignation.

Image Credit: Eatcha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AIIMS_New_Delhi_Building.jpg