The Federation of All India Medical Association (FEMA) on Thursday called off its 11-day strike against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata following “positive directions” from the Supreme Court.
The apex court had earlier in the day asked the protesting doctors to resume work and assured them that no adverse action would be taken against them after they returned to work.
“FEMA has decided to call off the strike following positive directions from the Chief Justice,” FEMA, the apex doctors’ body, posted on ‘X’.
We welcome the acceptance of our prayers for interim protection and the necessary steps to enhance safety in hospitals. United, we will continue to fight legally.”
FEMA took the step after several Resident Doctors Associations (RDAs) called off their strike over the Kolkata incident following an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The RDAs of Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Delhi Government’s Indira Gandhi Hospital have also announced to end the strike.
The Resident Doctors Association (AIIMS, Delhi) posted on the social media platform ‘X’, “We are returning to work after the appeal and assurance of the Supreme Court and its intervention in the matter of RG Kar (hospital) incident and safety of doctors.
We applaud the Court’s action and call for compliance with its directives. Caring for patients remains our top priority.”
The rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata sparked nationwide outrage. On August 12, the Doctors Association launched a nationwide protest, which brought the Out Patient Department (OPD) services to a standstill.
However, emergency services continued. In West Bengal, the body of a female doctor with severe burn injuries was found in the seminar room of the chest disease department of the government RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The next day, a volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court had ordered the investigation of this case to be handed over to the CBI. The CBI started the investigation from August 14.
The post The effect of the Supreme Court’s appeal, the 11-day long doctors’ strike ended; AIIMS and RML doctors also agreed… appeared first on .