Doctors' Strike Ends: Supreme Court's Directive Brings Relief

Doctors at major hospitals in Delhi ended their 11-day strike after the Supreme Court's appeal and direction for enhanced safety measures. The protest was in response to the murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata. The move comes as a relief to patients affected by the closure of outpatient services.

In a significant relief for patients, doctors at major hospitals in the national capital, including AIIMS, RML, LNJP, and Maulana Azad Medical College, called off their 11-day strike on Thursday. The decision came shortly after the Supreme Court made an impassioned appeal for the protesting medics to resume work and mandated the Centre to ensure their safety.

The move followed the apex court's sharp criticism of the Kolkata Police's delayed action in registering the unnatural death of a woman doctor who was raped and killed at RG Kar Hospital. The court noted that judges and doctors, who deal with life and liberty, cannot go on strike.

Following the court's directives for their safety, the resident doctors' associations of several hospitals, including AIIMS, RML, and LNJP, ended their strike. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and other medical bodies also announced the end of their protest. This decision provides much-needed relief to patients who were struggling to access regular medical care amid the strike.