New Delhi, August 15, 2024 — The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) called off its nationwide strike on Tuesday after receiving assurances from Union Health Minister JP Nadda. The strike, which had severely impacted health services across the country, was organized in response to the brutal murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
Assurance from the Health Minister
FORDA President Aviral Mathur announced the decision to end the strike after meeting with the Union Health Minister. “We just met Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence and presented our reformulated demands,” Mathur told ANI. “He assured us that he would provide a safer working environment for doctors and that our demands would be addressed in a time-bound manner.”
Formation of a Committee
During the meeting, it was decided that a committee, including representatives from FORDA, will be established to oversee the implementation of the agreed-upon safety measures. This assurance led to FORDA’s decision to end the strike, bringing relief to the healthcare sector, which had been crippled by the protest.
Nationwide Impact of the Strike
The strike, which began on Monday, disrupted health services across India, particularly elective procedures such as outpatient services (OPDs) and non-emergency surgeries. Resident doctors, protesting the lack of safety in healthcare settings, took to the streets after the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata last Thursday. Her body was found in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital, sparking outrage among the medical community.
Indian Medical Association’s Involvement
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) also met with Health Minister Nadda to discuss key demands, including declaring hospitals as safe zones and introducing a central law against violence in healthcare settings. The IMA’s involvement added weight to the doctors’ concerns, highlighting the urgent need for better security measures in hospitals nationwide.
