The strike by the Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS, New Delhi was ended after 11 days due to the Supreme Court getting involved in the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor in Kolkata on August 9.
The association stated that they are returning to work after the Supreme Court’s involvement and guarantee, as well as intervention in the RG Kar incident, ensuring the safety of doctors.
SC restated request to the protesting doctors to go back to work
During a Kolkata murder-rape case hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court restated its request to the protesting doctors to go back to work. The court guaranteed that protesting doctors will not face any consequences if they go back to work today.
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If the doctors have returned to work, we will request the authorities to refrain from taking any negative steps. However, they need to return to work first. If not, those who require the services the most will be denied access to their services. That is the sole worry. The court inquired how public health infrastructure can operate if doctors do not return to work.
Supreme Court mandates creation of a 10-member NTF to oversee security of doctors in India
Following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor and the subsequent assault on a Kolkata hospital, the Supreme Court mandated the creation of a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to oversee the security of doctors in India.
A panel led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that the absence of proper safety measures in medical facilities, concerning both violence and sexual violence towards medical staff, was a significant issue.
The National Task Force (NTF), established by the Union Health Ministry, has been assigned the responsibility of creating strategies under two categories – Preventing violence, specifically gender-based violence against healthcare workers; and implementing a national protocol for safe and respectful working environments for interns, residents, senior residents, doctors, nurses, and all healthcare providers.
