The resident doctors at Safdarjung Hospital called off their two-day strike on Friday after being assured of better security arrangements inside hospital premises. The medical practitioners had gone on a strike on Wednesday after a junior resident doctor was allegedly manhandled by the attendants of a patient at the Emergency ward. The doctors had demanded enhancement of on-duty security at the hospital premises.
“It has been decided that around 48 marshals will be appointed for the security of doctors at the hospital. Also, a review of the entire security arrangement will be carried out,” said AK Rai, Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung hospital, adding that the decision was taken after meeting with Health Ministry officials on Thursday.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) had also extended support to the strike. There is a major discrepancy in the number of guards posted on paper and the actual strength, it said in a statement hinting at corruption in hiring of security men at the hospital. Meanwhile, an FIR was registered at the Safdarjung Enclave police station on Thursday against the attendants of the patient for assaulting a doctor and hospital guard.