Nursing staff of Nair Hospital protest against the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday appealed to doctors to end their strike, while promising to form a committee to propose measures to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
Doctors have launched a nationwide strike on the call of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to protest the alleged rape and murder of a female junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The health ministry’s statement came after representatives of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Resident Doctors’ Associations of Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Delhi met ministry officials in the capital on Saturday.
The Ministry of Health has acknowledged these concerns and assured representatives that all necessary measures will be taken to protect healthcare professionals, the press release said.
The associations were told that the Centre was fully aware of the situation and was attentive to their demands. It was noted that 26 states have already passed laws to protect healthcare workers within their jurisdictions. To address the concerns raised, the Health Ministry assured to form a committee that will look into all possible measures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, a press release said.
“Representatives of all stakeholders, including state governments, are invited to share their suggestions with the committee. The ministry requested the agitating doctors to resume their duties in the broader public interest and in view of the increasing cases of dengue and malaria,” the press release said.
24-hour nationwide strike
The strike has led to the suspension of most non-emergency medical services for 24 hours, starting at 6am on Saturday. On Friday, the IMA outlined five key demands, including a comprehensive review of working and living conditions for doctors in training, as well as the implementation of a central law to prevent violence against health care professionals.
First publication: Aug 17, 2024 | 3:36 PM IST