AIIMS, Safdarjung resident doctors to boycott work today

New Delhi: Resident doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) on Thursday worked with bandages on their heads in a symbolic protest and have decided to boycott work on Friday in solidarity with the doctors protesting against an attack on their colleagues in West Bengal.

Condemning the violence in West Bengal, the AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) has also urged the RDAs across the country to join the token strike. Meanwhile, RDA from Safdarjung hospital, Delhi Medical Association, RDA's of many other hospitals will also come in their support.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the AIIMS RDA said the ongoing and worsening of violence against medical doctors in West Bengal is worrisome and disheartening. "There is a complete breakdown of law and order, with reports of mobs attacking doctor's hostels with weapons. The government has failed to provide protection and justice to doctors," the statement read.

"AIIMS RDA condemns this in words and in spirit. Residents across the country are deeply hurt by these turn of events. Keeping in view of our commitment towards safe and non-violent working environment for residents, AIIMS RDA stands in support of our colleagues in West Bengal and has decided to hold protest on June 13 which would be followed by one day strike of work on June 14 which include OPD, routine and ward services except for emergency services," it said.

Moreover, the statement further reads that the impatient ICU services in various ICU of the institute will function normally and the routine services will largely remain suspended on Friday. However, some specific cases may be taken up for surgery as per feasibility and mutual agreement between concerned faculty of surgery and anesthesiology.

Reacting over the violence in West Bengal, the Safdarjung hospital resident doctors have also called for a day pen down strike on Friday, which would include OPD, routine operations whereas, the emergency services shall be continued. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday directed the members of all its state branches to stage protests and wear black badges on Friday.

In a communique to all its state presidents and secretaries, the IMA has asked them to organise demonstrations in front of the district collectors' offices from 10 am to 12 pm on Friday and hand over a memorandum addressed to the prime minister and to the collectors in every district. The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) had also urged its members to observe a "Black Day" on Thursday against the brutal attack.

Simultaneously, all the local branches and individual members of the IMA will send an appeal to the prime minister and the Union home minister, demanding a central Act on violence against doctors and hospitals. The IMA has also urged its state branches to communicate the information to the government doctors' organisations of the states, request for their support and issue a press statement to this effect.