New Delhi [India]: Following the Supreme Court’s appeal, healthcare professionals at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi decided to suspend their strike in response to the incident at RG Kar Medical College, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered.
“In view of the developments with respect to our demands, and our concerns being addressed by the Honorable SC, we hereby declare the strike to be withheld,” the Resident Doctors Association said in an official release.
“We hereby have decided to resume all our duties. Recent mishappening at RG Kar Medical College highlighted the sorry state in which residents are working in our country. We have requested residents to resume services from 8 AM onwards, 23rd August,” the release stated further.
Earlier today, the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, also ended their 11-day strike and resumed back services.
In a statement, the Resident Doctors Association made the announcement and said, “In the interest of the nation and the spirit of public service, the RDA, AIIMS, New Delhi, has decided to call off the 11-day strike. This decision comes in response to the appeal and direction of the Supreme Court. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Supreme Court for taking cognizance of the RG Kar Medical College incident and addressing the broader issue of safety and security for healthcare workers across the country.”
Earlier, the Supreme Court, while commencing its hearing on the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, said that health professionals must return to work and that once they resume their duties, the court will prevail upon authorities to not take adverse action against them.
“Let the health professionals return to work and once they return to duties, the court will prevail upon authorities to not take adverse action. How would the public health infrastructure function if doctors did not return to work,” the court said.
The SC resumed its hearing into the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Thursday.
The apex court constituted a 10-member National Task Force to make recommendations on the prevention of violence and safe working conditions for medical professionals. The task force includes Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, among others.