Following reports of violence and vandalism committed on 14th August 2024 at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata where a 2nd year resident doctor was raped and murdered on 9th August, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has announced today that it will resume its nationwide strike.

“We strongly condemn the Union Ministry and State Government for their failure to honor their commitments and ensure the safety of healthcare professionals during this crisis,” the Association stated in its press release.

The FORDA had earlier announced its “nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals in solidarity with R.G. Kar Medical College residents” on 12th August but later called it off on 14th August “in good faith based on assurances from the Ministry”.

On Thursday, the Association said that the events of the previous night where miscreants allegedly disguised as protestors entered the college and hospital in an attempt to vandalise the crime scene.

“This represents a dark chapter for our profession,” the FORDA stated while adding that it working with all stakeholders and Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) to develop a strategic plan of action.

The FORDA had earlier, in a representation to the Union Home Minister, demanded for the following:

1. Expeditious Acceptance of Residents’ Demands: The demands of the residents of R.G. Kar Medical College must be accepted and acted upon swiftly.
2. Resignation of all the responsible authorities, which include Principal, MVP, Dean HOD of pulmonary medicine, ACP of RG Kar MC&H police outpost, who could not perform their duty of protecting the dignity and life of a WOMAN who was in this case an on duty doctor.
3. No Police Brutality: There must be a firm assurance that no police brutality or manhandling of the protesting doctors will occur. Their right to protest peacefully must be respected
4. Swift Justice for the Deceased: Justice must be served swiftly, and due compensation provided to the family of the deceased.
5. Security Protocols for Healthcare Workers and formation of Expert committee: The Union government must release and enforce a mandated protocol tor the security or healthcare workers all hospitals, ensuring strict compliance and speed up ratifying the Central Healthcare Protection Act.

On 13th August, the Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda met with a delegation from the FORDA and accepted the demands. He had assured that the Ministry will address all their concerns to ensure a safer and better work environment.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has on Thursday condemned the vandalization of the college where an on-duty female post-graduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered.

“The authorities who by their negligence had allowed such a heinous crime to happen have once again failed to maintain law and order when the all important CBI investigations are going on,” the IMA stated. Such a vandalism with impunity points to anarchy and breaking down of law order, it added.

The Association also informed that it has called for an emergency consultation meeting with all its state branches today to chart out the further action.

A 33-year-old civic worker have been arrested in suspicion of the crime. The CBI has taken over the case.