NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has decided to call off its strike, which was organized to protest the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar College and Hospital last week. However, the move has sparked a controversy as several resident doctors’ associations from major hospitals have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision and have vowed to continue their agitation.
FORDA’s Decision: FORDA announced its decision to end the strike following a meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who assured the federation that the demands made by the resident doctors would be addressed. According to FORDA, the health minister agreed to all the demands listed in their recent letter, which prompted the federation to call off the strike.
Hospital Associations’ Response: Despite FORDA’s announcement, the resident doctors’ associations from prominent hospitals such as AIIMS, Safdarjung, and RML have raised objections. They argue that FORDA made the decision without consulting the individual associations and without resolving key issues related to doctor safety. These associations have declared that they will continue their strike, asserting that the decision to end the agitation was taken unilaterally by FORDA.
Legal and Administrative Pressure: In response to the ongoing strike, hospital administrations, including that of University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, have directed resident doctors to resume medical services immediately. They warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in legal action, citing a 2007 Delhi High Court ruling that prohibits work stoppages in the interest of public health.
Similarly, the AIIMS administration has ordered daily attendance reports from all heads of departments, referencing a 2011 Delhi High Court ruling that mandates disciplinary action against those participating in strikes or protests. The Supreme Court has also upheld that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to uninterrupted medical care.
Ongoing Dispute: The controversy surrounding FORDA’s decision highlights a deeper rift within the medical community. The Federation of All India Medical Association has joined the dissent, maintaining that the strike will persist until comprehensive solutions for doctor safety are implemented. This division among resident doctors’ associations underscores the challenges in resolving the crisis and addressing the underlying issues of safety and security for medical professionals.
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