New Delhi: Resident doctors at Delhi's AIIMS hospital have called off a nearly two week-long strike and protests over the rape and murder of a colleague at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital earlier this month.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon the Resident Doctors' Association, or RDA, said they had done so after receiving assurances from the Supreme Court, which on Wednesday called on medical professionals across the country to "please trust us" and return to their duties.
"In the interest of the nation and in the spirit of public service the RDA (AIIMS) has decided to call off the 11-day strike. This decision comes in response to the appeal and direction of the Supreme Court."
"We extend our sincere appreciation to the Supreme Court for taking cognisance of the RG Kar Medical College incident and addressing the broader issue of safety and security for healthcare workers across the country," the doctors' body said in its statement.
The RDA also noted that no punitive action would be taken against protesting doctors.
"... we will continue to advocate for the rights and safety of healthcare workers through engagement with various authorities, ministries..." the RDA also declared.
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On Tuesday the court told doctors abstaining from work could affect people in need of medical care.
"We earnestly appeal to all doctors... we are here to ensure their safety and protection. Please trust us, that is why we have not left the matter to the (Calcutta) High Court," a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud appealed.
"Let health professionals return to work and, once they return, the court will prevail on authorities to not take adverse action. How can public health infrastructure function if doctors don't return to work?"
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The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital. Her body was discovered, with gruesome injuries, early on August 9, and has sparked massive public fury over violent crimes against women and doctors' safety.
As part of its directives on this issue, the court ordered the setting up of a 10-member task force to recommend prevention of violence against and safe working conditions for medical professionals.
The court also asked the CBI - which has charge of the investigation - to file a status report, while the Bengal government was told to file one on the vandalism of the RG Kar Hospital last week.
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The crime has also triggered a political war between Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ruling Trinamool and the opposition BJP, as well as jabs from an ally, the Congress.
Ms Banerjee - who also heads the state's police and health departments - faces strident calls to resign.
The Calcutta High Court, meanwhile, has asked serious questions of Ms Banerjee, including why the state-run hospital did not immediately file a police case (on discovering the woman's body) and why the hospital chief, Dr Sandip Ghosh, was given a new post hours after he resigned on "moral grounds".
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