Resident doctors announce pan-India strike over RG Kar rape and murder case; Halt elective services

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has announced a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals on Monday, August 12. This move is in solidarity with the residents of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, who are protesting the rape and murder of a fellow doctor in the hospital.

In a notice issued by FORDA, the association stated, "As a mark of our solidarity with the colleagues of RG Kar, we announce a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals starting Monday. This decision is not made lightly, but is necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and that the demands for justice and safety are met without further delay."

Elective services, which include non-urgent and non-medically necessary procedures, such as scheduled clinical anesthesia services, will be paused as part of the protest.

The federation has outlined five key demands:

• Immediate acceptance and action on the demands of the residents of RG Kar Medical College.
• Assurance that no police brutality or manhandling of the protesting doctors will occur, with respect for their right to peaceful protest.
• Swift justice for the deceased doctor and due compensation for her family.
• The release and enforcement of a mandated protocol by the union government to ensure the security of healthcare workers across all hospitals, with strict compliance.
• The formation of an expert committee comprising representatives from the medical community and associations to expedite the ratification of the Central Healthcare Protection Act.

"FORDA stands ready to contribute and provide any assistance to achieve these goals. We hope that the government will take immediate action to address our demands and ensure the safety and security of all healthcare professionals," the statement read.

Meanwhile, massive protests by doctors and students have erupted across Kolkata following the tragic incident. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also issued a strong statement on Saturday, demanding immediate action and warning of nationwide protests if their demands are not met within 48 hours.

The incident in question occurred on Friday morning when the body of a 28-year-old woman doctor, a second-year student in the respiratory medicine department, was found in a semi-naked state in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. The autopsy report indicated that she was sexually assaulted before being strangled and smothered to death. The police have since arrested the accused, who has been charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and is currently in police custody.