Despite the Supreme Court’s plea for doctors to resume their duties, medical professionals across the nation remain firm in their protest. During today’s hearing on the ongoing dispute, the court attempted to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of doctors and maintaining patient care, advocating for a national protocol to safeguard workplaces. However, the doctors stood their ground.
The All-India Residents and Junior Doctors’ Joint Action Forum, one of the leading medical associations, expressed its stance unequivocally.
“The Supreme Court’s suggestion to boost hospital security, though well-meaning, fails to address the fundamental issues afflicting our healthcare system,” stated a message from the Forum.
“The crux of the problem lies in a public healthcare system that has been consistently neglected, underfunded, and understaffed for many years. While the CJI’s call for better hospital security is a reaction to the immediate crisis, it cannot serve as a long-term, viable solution,” the statement continued.
The organization called for a “thorough reform of the system,” vowing to “continue our movement until our demands are met… We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable, and the systemic issues plaguing our healthcare system are resolved.”
Resident doctors at RG Kar Medical College also affirmed their commitment to the protest. “Our strike will persist until the Supreme Court delivers its ruling on Thursday. This is more than just a protest; it is a fight for the safety, dignity, and rights of every medical professional in our nation,” read a statement to the media.
The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) disclosed that it had already convened with representatives from 35 Resident Doctors’ Associations.
“These representatives will now gather feedback from resident doctors before a follow-up meeting,” the statement noted, emphasizing that the movement will continue to be driven by the ‘collective voices’ of resident doctors.
The Supreme Court, which took up the issue on its own initiative, explained the reasoning behind its intervention. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who headed the three-judge bench, remarked, “We chose to take suo motu action even though the High Court was handling it because this case is not only about the brutal murder in Kolkata’s hospital… it is also about the broader issue of doctors’ safety across the country.”
The judges further stated, “As the court is addressing matters related to the safety and welfare of all doctors, we urge those currently away from work to return to their duties at the earliest. The absence of doctors impacts the segment of society in need of medical care. Rest assured, the concerns of medical professionals are being taken into account by the Supreme Court.”
Regarding the tragic rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, the court did not spare any authorities – including the hospital, the police, or the state government. The Supreme Court has requested a status report from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday.
The court also highlighted the necessity for a “national protocol to ensure safe working conditions.” Such a protocol, it emphasized, must be implemented nationwide.