The strike of doctors angry over the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata now seems to be coming to an end. An important organization of doctors, ‘Federation of Resident Doctors Association’ (FORDA) has decided to withdraw the strike after a meeting with Health Minister JP Nadda. However, AIIMS Resident Doctors Association has decided to continue the strike. AIIMS resident doctors say that the strike will continue until a concrete assurance is received on the demand of Central Protection Act. Federation of All India Medical Association (FEMA) has also decided to continue the strike.
The strike will continue in these hospitals
1- AIIMS Delhi
2- Safdarjung Hospital
3- Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
4- Indira Gandhi Hospital
5- Rajiv Gandhi Hospital
6- Hedgewar Hospital
The decision is expected by tonight
According to the information received, doctors of other hospitals will take a decision after meeting late at night. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) said in its official statement on Tuesday that it is withdrawing its strike as the Union Health Minister has accepted their demands. A delegation of FORDA met Union Health Minister JP Nadda at his residence on Tuesday night. FORDA said that the strike will be over from Wednesday morning. It has taken this decision in the interest of the welfare of the patients.
Talk made in meeting with Health Minister
According to a statement issued by the association, the Health Minister 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 begin within the next 15 days. An official statement from the Health Ministry is also expected soon.
National Medical Commission issued advisory
Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission, taking cognizance of the heinous incident that took place in Kolkata’s medical college, has issued a security advisory for all medical colleges and hospitals across the country. Under this, instructions have been given to deploy security guards at necessary places in hospitals.
Suggestions for making policy for hospitals
The Medical Commission has written in its advisory that in recent times, incidents of violence against doctors have been reported in medical colleges. All medical colleges are requested to develop a policy for a safe environment within the college and hospital premises for all staff members including faculty, medical students and resident doctors. All sensitive areas should be monitored by CCTV.
Sufficient security personnel should be deployed
Adequate security measures should be provided in the medical college and hospital premises including deployment of adequate security staff (male and female) in OPD, wards, casualty, labour room, hostels and residential quarters and other open areas. Not only this, any incident of violence against medical students should be investigated immediately by the college management and an FIR should be registered. A detailed action report on any incident of violence should be mandatorily sent to the National Medical Commission (NMC) within 48 hours of the incident.
