Resident doctors' body calls off indefinite strike

NEW DELHI: Resident doctors in Delhi government-run hospitals on Wednesday called off their proposed indefinite strike on November 23, following a meeting with Delhi government officials, a representative of the doctors' union said.

Four days after a doctor was physically assaulted by a patient and her attendant, at the Delhi government's Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, the Federation of Resident Doctor's Association (FORDA) had announced an indefinite state wise strike to ask for better security for doctors at government hospitals.

"A meeting was held Wednesday at the Delhi Secretariat. The attendees of the meeting included senior health officials and representatives of the doctors. We raised the issue to ask for better security for doctors at government hospitals," said a release issued by the doctors' association.

According to the statement, "Whenever, any instance of assault on the resident doctors is reported, institutional FIR will be registered by the CMO/MS of the concerned hospital. In this case, since the FIR has been already lodged individually by the senior resident himself, the MS is advised to ensure proper follow up of the FIR lodged.

"Moreover, explanation of the CMO on duty during the time of assault of the Resident doctors should be obtained for not registering the institutional FIR."

The statement further said that RDA welfare committees, as existing in some of the central hospitals, should be constituted by the MS.

"Matter of maternity leave for ad hoc residents was taken up and they have to submit the data that how many resident doctors have been denied maternity leave in last three years and assurance was given for a positive outcome," said FORDA representative.