Kolkata Doctor Murder Case: Doctor's strike will continue, FORDA took decision after resident doctor's displeasure

The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) on Thursday announced to continue the protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The association had called off its strike after the Health Ministry gave verbal assurances to meet their demands, including bringing in a law to prevent attacks on medical workers, but the move came after doctors strongly criticised it, forcing FORDA to re-start the protest.

Resident doctors go on strike

Resident doctors of Delhi's major government hospitals, including AIIMS, VMMC-Safdarjung Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, stopped elective services on Monday morning and went on strike. They are demanding better security and safety measures for medical workers and passing of a law.

FORD's announcement to re-start the protest came at a time when the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) on Wednesday alleged that the federation had decided to end the strike without consulting them. The RDA also accused FORDA of 'stabbing the medical fraternity in the back'.

Health Minister met members

FORD members met Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday night and handed him a letter regarding their demands, which included several demands including making a law to prevent attacks on medical personnel.

FORD said in a statement, "We accept that our decision to call off the strike based on the ministry's assurance has caused resentment in the medical community. We accept responsibility for this and understand the discontent caused by it." It said that the members of the organization will continue the strike in protest against the tragic incident that took place at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College.

RDA demanded written assurance

After FORDA decided to end the protest, Maulana Azad Medical College RDA president Aparna Setia told PTI, "We want a written assurance from the ministry. Till then we will continue our strike, as we cannot rely on verbal assurances."

FORDA said in the statement, 'The events that have happened since then, especially the violence on Wednesday night (in Kolkata), have shocked and distressed all of us and it is a dark chapter for our profession. As an association, we stand united with our fellow resident doctors. We strongly condemn the Central Ministry and the State (West Bengal) Government for not fulfilling their commitments during this situation and failing to ensure the safety of health professionals.'

The Ministry had given assurance

Earlier, after meeting with J.P. Nadda on Tuesday, FORDA had said in a statement, 'In the meeting, the Health Minister has agreed to form a committee with the participation of FORDA to work on the Central Protection Act. The Ministry has assured that work on it will start within the next 15 days.'

Ayush Raj, General Secretary of Safdarjung Hospital RDA, said that the members of the hospital and the staff of the nursing department are also supporting the strike. He said FORDA had initially called off the strike but will now stage a protest again. According to RDA president Rajat Sharma, resident doctors of GTB Hospital staged a protest on Thursday.