New Delhi – The indefinite strike by Delhi's resident doctors, protesting the alleged rape and murder of a trainee in Kolkata, has now reached its 11th day. Despite a Supreme Court order urging them to return to work, the strike continues, significantly disrupting patient services across the city’s hospitals.

The Supreme Court had previously taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic incident and established a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to create protocols aimed at ensuring the safety and security of doctors and healthcare professionals. Vice Admiral Arti Sarin leads the task force, which has been instructed to deliver an interim report within three weeks.

However, there has been criticism regarding the task force’s composition. Some doctors' associations have voiced concerns that the task force lacks adequate representation from resident doctors and professors from government medical colleges, where violent incidents are more frequent compared to private institutions.

The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting interim protection for doctors until the NTF’s recommendations are fully implemented. The petition highlights frequent instances of violence and threats faced by doctors and stresses the need for their input in forming effective safety guidelines.

Key demands in the petition include the installation of CCTV cameras in sensitive areas such as hospital and hostel entrances, compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and the establishment of a 24/7 distress call facility for immediate support to healthcare workers.

The ongoing protest underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures in healthcare settings to address the concerns of medical professionals and ensure their protection while performing their duties.

Doctors' Ongoing Strike Disrupts Medical Services Across Kolkata

Supreme Court Sets up National Task Force to Enhance Safety for Doctors Following Kolkata Tragedy

Resident doctors' strike continues, patients in hospitals do not expect relief