On the third day of their strike on Wednesday in protest against rape and murder of their colleague in Kolkatta, junior residents from over 60 Government medical colleges in cities, including Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Rishikesh, Delhi, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Guwahati, and Bangalore among others across the country demonstrated a united front, expressing their frustration at the tragic incident through various forms of protest — from wearing black bands and holding candlelight marches to shouting slogans, and staging demonstrations.
Their anguish was palpable as they refused to relent until enactment of the Central Protection Act for healthcare workers. In Telangana, Seethakka garu, Minister of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development of the State came forward to show solidarity with doctors across the country.
The strike has had a clear impact on health services particularly elective i.e. non-essential ones, with many patients at the OPD returning home without treatment as they boycotted the services. However, emergency cases were not impacted.
Soon after the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) decided to call off their strike following a meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday, questions arose from various state resident doctors' associations and the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA). These groups expressed concern over FORDA's decision and chose to continue their strike, seeking better safety measures for healthcare workers. They emphasised the need for broader systemic reforms to ensure the protection and well-being of all healthcare professionals.
In the national capital, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) at AIIMS and RML hospital continued with their strike on the third day. The AIIMS RDA stated, "The AIIMS community has reiterated its demand for the implementation of the Central Protection Act and has decided to continue support for their RG Kar MC&H doctors. By consensus, it has been decided that resident doctors at AIIMS, including foreign nationals, sponsored candidates, fellows, and graduates, will continue their strike, which includes suspending academic activities, optional OPD services, ward and OT services. However, sub-emergency services, ICU, emergency procedures, and emergency OT will continue."
FAIMA Doctors Association President Dr Rohan Krishnan too said that we are continuing with the strike as of now till our Demands are not met. "We have heard that one of the bodies in the Resident Doctors' Association has called off their strike. The FAIMA doctors will be on strike because only one demand has been met, which is transferring the case to the CBI. The High Court has done this. We have not received substantial support from the state or central government. We want a central protection act for healthcare workers and we seek concrete action on this. “
Junior doctors at government-run hospitals in Rajasthan’s Swai Mansingh College and Srikakulam Medical College, Andhra Pradesh boycotted outpatient services in support of the nationwide protest while NIMHANS Employees Association extended their support. Similarly, protests in Government Medical College, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh and Gandhi medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana, were held.
“We are continuing with the strike,” Telangana JUDA said as nursing staff joined in protest at Kakatiya medical College,Warangal ,Telangana. RDA AIIMS Raebareli and PGI Chandigarh doctors protested for safe workplaces in the hospitals.
United Doctors Front Association said, “We urge the entire medical community to ensure that no woman ever suffers like this again. It's high time we secure the #CPA for HCWs. It also called upon Drs, paramedics, actors, politicians,media,influencers—to join us in this vital cause.”
The resident doctors at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said, "We the office bearers of BMC MARD convened a meeting, and have decided that the ongoing strike will continue until all the demands put forth by the association are fully met and provided in writing. The decision to persist with the strike is firm, and no actions will be taken to end it until our demands are addressed satisfactorily.”
The doctors also sat on strike in front of the ANMMC hospital's superintendent with a placard in their hands, demanding justice. Similarly, Resident doctors of the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) staged while Junior Doctors of Assam's Guwahati Medical College and Hospital held a candle march to show solidarity with the victim of Kolkata doctor rape-murder incident.
