Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: RML Hospital ends strike; doctors’ body welcomes SC intervention

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: The nine-day strike at the central government-run RML Hospital, held in protest of the alleged rape and murder of a Kolkata medic, was called off on Tuesday. This decision came as other resident doctors’ bodies welcomed the Supreme Court’s involvement in the case.

The RML Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) announced the strike’s end after the Centre agreed to all demands made by their colleagues nationwide.

“The Ministry of Health and the Medical Superintendent’s office have assured us that necessary permissions for enhanced security measures at medical institutions have been obtained, with a 45-day timeline for implementation.

“The ministry also committed to increasing security at all central government hospitals and issuing advisories to state governments,” the Ram Manohar Lohia RDA stated.

Although the strike has been suspended, the doctors said they will continue advocating for justice in the R G Kar case.

The doctors will resume duties at 4 pm, with no salary deductions for the strike period.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court established a 10-member task force to develop a national protocol to ensure the safety and facilities for doctors following the rape and murder of the Kolkata medic.

The task force is expected to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.

In response, doctors at the RML Hospital expressed their support for the Supreme Court with slogans like ‘Supreme Court zindabad’.

The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association expressed their confidence in the Supreme Court’s intervention, stating, “We welcome the exhaustive session by the Supreme Court and trust their involvement in the broader interest of our fraternity. We will consult with all our stakeholders before making any decisions”.

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The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), another doctors’ body, also announced plans to hold a meeting soon.

“We will update soon. The decision will be made after considering input from every state RDA and will be based on the majority’s decision,” FAIMA said.

The doctors’ strike, which reached its ninth day on Tuesday, was driven by demands for a central law ensuring the safety of medics working in hospitals. The striking doctors also called for a swift and transparent CBI investigation into the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case and the creation of a Central Protection Act. (With inputs from PTI)