Doctors across the country have refused to return to work, except for emergency procedures, as they protest against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Nationwide protests are underway
The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) yesterday announced a nationwide pause in elective services in hospitals. In a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, FORDA described the Kolkata incident as "perhaps the greatest travesty to have occurred in the history of the resident doctor community".
FORDA has demanded resignation of all authorities concerned who could not protect the dignity and life of a woman on-duty doctor. They have also sought an assurance that the protesting doctors will not be manhandled and swift action in the case.
Treatment at most hospitals in Kolkata has taken a hit after doctors joined the protest demanding justice in the case. Several patients and their relatives have complained of inconvenience due to the protest.
The number of daily surgeries at AIIMS Delhi are down by 80 per cent and admissions by 35 per cent after doctors began an indefinite strike over the Kolkata incident, news agency PTI has reported. AIIMS authorities have, meanwhile, issued a circular, asking the doctors to join work and citing a High Court order that doctors cannot be part of protests on the premises.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has shot off a letter to Health Minister Nadda, demanding the enactment of a central law to curb attacks and violence against doctors as a "deterrence" measure and declaration of hospitals as safe zones.
A civic volunteer who frequented the hospital has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of the Kolkata doctor. West Bengal Chief Minister has given city police time till Sunday to complete the probe, after which the state government will recommend a CBI investigation.
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