Following the directive from the Supreme Court of India, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has taken over the security charges at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered on 9th August 2024.
Hearing a sou moto case on the matter on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had rapped the West Bengal Government over the handling of the case and the vandalising of the hospital on 14th August by goons and directed that CISF take over the responsibility from Kolkata Police to secure the hospital and its resident doctors.
Meanwhile, despite the Supreme Court’s appeal to resume work, the Resident Doctors of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) announced that it would continue its cease work “resolutely” until the next hearing on 22nd August (Thursday). The apex court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the State Government to file status report on the progress of the investigation on Thursday.
“This is not just a protest; it is a stand for the safety, dignity, and rights of every medical professional in our country,” the doctors asserted and requested all medicos across the country and citizens who value justice and human rights to stand with them.
“Let us unite in this cause, for it is a fight not just for us but for the future of healthcare in India,” it added.
In New Delhi, the National Action Committee of the medical fraternity has convened a high level meeting at 2:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon. In this regard, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the Delhi Medical Association have “invited RDAs of all the hospitals of the country and especially New Delhi to discuss next plan of action.”
On Tuesday, FAIMA welcomed the Supreme Court’s acknowledgement of the issues faced by the health workers but had informed that the strike would continue until the Central Protection Act (CPA) is passed for their safety. FAIMA Chairman Dr Rohan Krishnan stated that they have full faith in the Supreme Court, however, they want results.
“Task forces were formed earlier as well. But at the end we suffer! After 3 days everything will be forgotten and we will again be beaten up by patients,” Dr Khrisnan stated while demanding for CPA for healthcare professionals.
