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The Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FODA) and Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) took the decision after the Supreme Court issued directions regarding safety of healthcare workers. (Press Trust photo)
Healthcare professionals across the country stopped working after the body of a junior doctor was found in a seminar room at the West Bengal government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9
In a major relief to patients, hundreds of resident doctors returned to work on Friday following an appeal in the Supreme Court following an 11-day strike by a Kolkata doctor over alleged rape and murder.
The doctors' association met Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj at the secretariat in the afternoon and discussed various issues faced by them.
After the meeting, the minister said he discussed the issues raised by the doctors with them and would soon write to the central government on these issues.
Healthcare professionals across the country stopped working after the body of the junior doctor was found in the seminar room of the West Bengal government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
On the evening of August 12, medical staff, including resident doctors, of the Central Hospital and major hospitals run by the Delhi government started reporting for duty and non-emergency services, including OPD and diagnostics, were shut down, causing hardship to patients and delaying treatment. .
Resident doctors including the Centre-run AIIMS, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Delhi government-run LNJP, Maulana Azad Medical College, GTB Hospital and Indira Gandhi Hospital resumed work after two state institutions declared the strike over. Thursday night.
Dr Ayush Raj, general secretary of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Safdarjung Hospital, said, “We have resumed work but we have not stopped fighting for our demands… We are still carrying out silent protests.” He added that all RDA members of Delhi will decide on a common day this week to come together for a symbolic protest demanding justice and protection.
Dr Dhruv Chauhan, national council member of IMA-Junior Doctors Network, said: “We are protesting silently as before to fulfill our duties but are still waiting for justice and the assurances given.” He added: “We obey and respect the Supreme Court's decision “Our services have been restored and we hope our demands will be met and our safety will be the top priority at all levels.”
The Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FODA) and Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) took the decision after the Supreme Court issued directions regarding safety of healthcare workers.
While the Supreme Court called on medical staff across the country to return to work and assured that no coercive action would be taken against them, it also said that judges and doctors cannot go on strike as they deal with matters involving life and liberty.
Aman Khanna, a resident doctor at Delhi's GTB Hospital, said: “I am happy to be back at work and hope that our demands will be met and justice will be done. We are closely following the decision taken by the government for us. Resident doctors' associations in all states except West Bengal have called off the strike. In Bengal, the epicenter of the protests, health services in public hospitals are still affected as agitated junior doctors said they would continue to strike.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
