There is a nationwide strike of resident doctors today in protest against the murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, West Bengal. Federation of All India Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), a nationwide organization of resident doctors, has announced a strike from the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of all government hospitals in the country.
In all the government hospitals of the country including Delhi, OPD, surgery and lab work is looked after by resident doctors. In such a situation, health services may be affected due to the strike of resident doctors. A day earlier, resident doctors of AIIMS Hospital in the country’s capital had taken out a candle march in protest.
Emergency services will remain operational
RDA has called for a strike while keeping emergency services running. This strike will be only for resident doctors. The remaining senior doctors or consultants will see the patients. At the same time, emergency services will remain fully operational.
Services affected in these hospitals
Many other government hospitals including Lady Hardinge Medical College, Kalavati Children’s Hospital, Sucheta Kripalani Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Loknayak Hospital related to Maulana Azad Medical College, GB Pant, Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital also started OPD services, elective surgeries on Monday. And has announced to stop work in the lab.
Demand for investigation in a transparent manner
Dr. Sharda Prasad, Vice President of Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) said that FORDA has announced a nationwide strike in protest against the incident. We want the investigation to be conducted in a transparent manner at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. The remaining accused should be caught soon. Strict action should be taken against the accused.
Doctors demanded CBI investigation
Dr. Indra Shekhar, President of the Resident Doctors Association, who is protesting at AIIMS, said that we are not satisfied with the investigation. Many doctors involved in the protest have also demanded a CBI investigation. On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has talked about death sentence for the accused and a CBI investigation.