New Delhi: The Federation of Resident Doctors Associations (FORDA) has called off its nationwide strike following a meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda. The strike was halted after the minister assured that the demands for a safer working environment would be addressed promptly. Aviral Mathur, the president of FORDA, announced that the strike was ended after a productive discussion with Minister Nadda.We met with Union Minister JP Nadda and presented our reformulated demands. He assured us that a safe working environment for doctors would be provided and that our demands would be addressed in a time-bound manner, Mathur told ANI.During the meeting, it was agreed that a committee, including representatives from FORDA, would be established to oversee the implementation of these safety measures. With this assurance, FORDA decided to conclude the strike.Watch the video here:#WATCH | Delhi: A meeting between the delegation of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and Union Health Minister JP Nadda concludes. pic.twitter.com/kQyY4wPN9t— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2024Nationwide health services disruptedThe strike, initiated on Monday, had a significant impact on health services across India, particularly in outpatient departments (OPDs) and non-emergency surgeries. Resident doctors were protesting the brutal murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which sparked nationwide outrage.The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also met with Health Minister Nadda earlier on Tuesday to present additional demands. These included declaring hospitals as safe zones and introducing a central law to prevent violence in healthcare settings.Calcutta HC transfers case to CBIThe tragic incident that triggered the strike involved the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The Calcutta High Court has since ordered the transfer of the investigation from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A division bench, led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, emphasized the pious obligation of doctors to treat patients and urged them to resume work. Two CBI officers have already begun their investigation by collecting documents related to the case from Tala Police Station in Kolkata.
