Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, run by the central government, concluded its nine-day strike protesting the alleged rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor. Other groups of resident doctors praised the Supreme Court’s involvement in the case.
The RML Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) decided to end the strike after the central government agreed to all the demands made by doctors from across India.
In a statement, the resident doctors' association said, "The Ministry of Health and the Medical Superintendent's office have assured that all necessary permissions for enhanced security measures at medical institutions have been obtained, with a 45-day timeline set for implementation."
"The ministry also pledged to tighten security across all central government hospitals and issue advisories to state governments," it added.
The doctors said though they have agreed to suspend their strike, they will continue to advocate for justice in the R G Kar case.
The doctors will resume duties from 4 pm and there will be no deduction of salary during the strike period.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday constituted a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol to ensure safety and facilities for doctors in the wake of the rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata.
The task force will submit its interim report within three weeks and the final report within two months.
Earlier in the day, doctors at the RML raised hailed the SC with slogans like 'Supreme Court zindabad'.
Federation of Resident Doctors' Association said, "We welcome the exhaustive session by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and trust their intervention in the larger interest of our fraternity. We will consult with all our stakeholders before making a decision."
Federation of All India Medical Association, or FAIMA, another doctors' body, said it will also conduct a meeting soon.
"We will update soon. The decision will be made after considering every state RDA's input and will be based on the majority's decision," it said.
Tuesday marked the ninth day of the strike by doctors, who in the wake of the Kolkata murder have been demanding a central law on safety of medics working at hospitals.
The striking doctors are demanding a fast and transparent investigation by the CBI into the murder and the formation of a Central Protection Act.
(With PTI inputs)
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