The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) called off its nationwide strike on Tuesday after receiving assurances from Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
FORDA President Aviral Mathur informed ANI that after meeting with the minister, they were assured that their demands for a safer working environment would be promptly addressed.
“We recently met Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence and presented our revised demands. He assured us that he would ensure a safe working environment for doctors and that our demands would be addressed within a specified timeframe,” Mathur said.
Mathur also mentioned that a committee, including FORDA representatives, will be established to monitor the implementation of these issues. As a result, FORDA decided to end the strike.
The indefinite strike, which began on Monday, was sparked by the brutal murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. This led to disruptions in elective services such as OPDs and non-emergency surgeries.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) also met with Health Minister Nadda to present key demands, including declaring hospitals as safe zones and enacting a central law against violence in healthcare settings.
The strike was initiated following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College last Thursday. Her body was found in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital in Kolkata.
On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court ordered that the investigation be transferred from the Kolkata Police to the CBI. A division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam urged the striking doctors to return to work, emphasizing their “pious obligation” to treat patients at government hospitals.
Two CBI officers visited Tala Police Station in Kolkata on Tuesday evening to gather documents related to the Kolkata Police’s investigation into the case.
