Joining ranks with their counterparts in Kolkata, resident doctors at AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, and those affiliated with the Delhi Medical Association will be on strike on Friday, protesting the recent incidents of violence against doctors. Junior doctors in Kolkata have been on strike after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured over an issue of alleged negligence at the NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday. The doctors are agitating for better security and punishment for the perpetrators of the violence, a demand that doctors’ bodies have articulated several times in the past as well.
In a communique on the contingency plan at AIIMS and all other centres, the Resident Doctors Association has clarified that emergency services would continue as usual, OPD services would be restricted, and only follow-up patients with prior appointments will be registered at the OPDs. In-patient ward services would continue at the discretion of the concerned clinical department, the statement said. Services at the ICU, and the labour and maternity ward would also continue to be provided, while procedures inside operation theatre would largely remain suspended.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan also expressed “concern” on the recently reported incidences of violence against doctors. Strongly condemning the violence, Vardhan has said that it is “necessary and important” for the doctors to get a safe work environment.
Vardhan also said that he would take this matter up with the chief ministers of states so that such incidents can be avoided in the future.
“Doctors are an integral pillar of the society and often work under stressful and difficult conditions. I urge the patients and their caregivers to observe restraint,” he said, urging doctors to observe restraint so that essential services are not disrupted.
