Doctors Continue Strike After Tragic Incident at RG Kar Medical College
New Delhi, India – The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) announced on Tuesday that they will continue their strike following the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
FAIMA’s Statement
FAIMA stated that OPD and Elective OT services will remain closed. They held a Pan India meeting with all associated Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) after the Supreme Court hearing on the case. FAIMA emphasized that they will not call off the protest until the Health Ministry takes concrete action on the Clinical Protection Act (CPA).
FAIMA’s press statement read, “Today after the hearing of the Supreme Court in the Kolkata Rape and Murder case, FAIMA Doctors Association had a Pan India meeting with all the associated RDAs. After due diligence and discussions with all the stakeholders involved, we have decided that we are not calling off the protest till something concrete on CPA is done by the Health Ministry. Strike to be continued, OPD and Elective OT will remain closed. ITS NOW OR NEVER. Also, we will be going to the Supreme Court for Justice via legal channels. However, we are thankful to SC for having sympathy for doctors and trying to resolve the issue.”
Call for Intervention
FAIMA also demanded intervention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister JP Nadda to bring an ordinance to end the strike. In a social media post on X, FAIMA reiterated their stance, stating, “In the meeting of National RDAs and stakeholders of FAIMA, it was decided that we will continue with the strike. We are in a #DoOrDie situation, we want @MoHFW_INDIA @HomeMinistr2024 @JPNadda @AmitShah ji to intervene and bring an ordinance an put an end to strike.”
Supreme Court’s Response
The Supreme Court emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the nation cannot wait for another tragic incident to bring about change. The court set up a National Task Force to prepare an action plan to prevent violence against medical professionals and ensure safe working conditions. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, questioned the West Bengal government for the delay in registering the FIR and criticized the circulation of the deceased’s name and images on social media.
Incident Details
On August 9, 2024, a thirty-one-year-old postgraduate doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata was murdered and allegedly raped inside the seminar room of the hospital while on a thirty-six-hour duty shift.
Doubts Revealed
FAIMA -: FAIMA stands for the Federation of All India Medical Association. It is a group that represents doctors and medical professionals across India.
RG Kar Medical College -: RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is a well-known medical college and hospital located in Kolkata, a big city in India.
Health Ministry -: The Health Ministry is a part of the government that takes care of health-related issues and policies in the country.
Union Home Minister -: The Union Home Minister is a high-ranking official in the Indian government responsible for internal security and domestic policy. Amit Shah is the current Union Home Minister.
Union Health Minister -: The Union Health Minister is a top official in the Indian government responsible for health policies and programs. JP Nadda is a former Union Health Minister.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions on legal issues and ensures laws are followed.
National Task Force -: A National Task Force is a special group set up to address specific issues. In this case, it is to prevent violence against doctors and ensure they have safe working conditions.
