New Delhi: Following an appeal from the Supreme Court, doctors from major hospitals including the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, and Indira Gandhi Hospital have ended their 11-day strike, which was in protest of the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Indira Gandhi Hospital announced the conclusion of the strike, emphasizing their decision was made in the “spirit of national interest and public service” after the Supreme Court intervened. The strike had caused significant disruptions in medical services across the country, as healthcare workers demanded justice and heightened safety measures in the wake of the tragic incident.
The strike gained national attention and prompted the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the case. The court directed the establishment of a national task force to investigate the incident and broader concerns surrounding the safety and security of healthcare workers. The task force has been instructed to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.
In an official statement, the Indira Gandhi Hospital’s RDA expressed deep gratitude to the Supreme Court for its attention to the incident and its directive to ensure the safety of healthcare workers nationwide. The statement also acknowledged the Supreme Court’s assurance that no punitive action would be taken against the doctors who participated in the strike.
Similar announcements were made by the RDAs of AIIMS and RML Hospital, both of which also ended their strikes and resumed services. The AIIMS RDA echoed the sentiments of their colleagues, stating, “In the interest of the nation and public service, we have decided to call off our strike. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Supreme Court for addressing the critical issues of safety and security for healthcare workers.”
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, emphasized the importance of healthcare professionals returning to work and assured them that the court would intervene to prevent any adverse actions against them once they resumed their duties. The court also highlighted the pressing issue of long working hours for doctors in public hospitals, calling for immediate attention to their working conditions.
As doctors across the affected hospitals return to their duties, the focus now shifts to the ongoing investigation and the implementation of measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
