Resident Doctors Strike Over Kolkata Tragedy Disrupts Major Hospitals

Resident doctors at major hospitals, including AIIMS and Safdarjung, continue their strike for the third consecutive day due to the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. They demand written assurance from the health ministry, expressing frustration over the Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FORDA)'s decision to end the strike.

Resident doctors at major hospitals, including AIIMS and Safdarjung, continued their strike on Wednesday over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, causing disruptions for the third consecutive day. The doctors expressed frustration over a lack of consultation with the Resident Doctors' Associations (RDAs) of several hospitals and accused the Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FORDA) of backstabbing after they called off their strike.

Following a meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday night, FORDA decided to end the strike. Doctors at GTB Hospital initially called off their strike but later resumed in support of the RDAs.

RDAs from major hospitals including AIIMS, VMMC, and Safdarjung continued the strike, shutting down OPDs, operation theatres, and wards. They demanded written assurances from the ministry, unwilling to rely on verbal promises. Dr Ayush Raj from Safdarjung Hospital stated that the strike would continue without FORDA until written demands are met. Meanwhile, AIIMS faculty held a candle march to support the protesting doctors.

(With inputs from agencies.)