Medics to continue protest till govt comes up with safety Act

New Delhi, August 20

Resident doctors said they would continue with their strike as the Centre had not given any concrete response on their key demand of bringing the Central Protection Act (CPA) for medics.

Doc’s rape & murder: SC assurances fail to break the ice

In a meeting with the resident doctors’ associations (RDAs), the Federation of All-India Medical Association (FAIMA) said the strike would not be called off.

“Today, after Supreme Court hearing in Kolkata rape and murder case, FAIMA had a pan-India meeting with all the associated RDAs. After due diligence and discussions with all stakeholders, we have decided that we are not calling off the protest until the Health Ministry and Home Minister Amit Shah give us the Central Protection Act. Strike to be continued. OPD and elective services will remain closed,” FAIMA said in a statement.

Sources in the Health Ministry, however, said the demand for bringing in CPA was unjust. “As many as 26 states already have this law in place. A person can be tried for rape and murder only under punitive sections of BNS. No act can cover law and order issues. Moreover, bringing out the Act is a long-term measure. There will be consultations and it takes time. If they sit on strike, it will not be correct,” a Health Ministry official said.

Resident doctors’ association of RML Hospital announced in the afternoon the withdrawal of the strike. However, in the evening, the statement was retracted and it said the strike would continue.