Doctor rape-murder: FAIMA calls for nationwide shutdown of elective services
What's the story
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has called for a nationwide shutdown of elective services in hospitals from Monday.
The move is in solidarity with the ongoing protest by doctors in West Bengal against the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Kolkata.
The decision was taken after a FAIMA meeting on Saturday, with an official request to all Resident Doctors's Associations (RDAs) to keep emergency services operational 24/7.
Strike details
FAIMA's call for nationwide shutdown, FEMA's 2-day strike
Along with FAIMA's call for a nationwide shutdown, the Federation of Medical Association (FEMA) has also called for a two-day pen-down strike in private and government medical colleges and hospitals across West Bengal.
The decision was taken after "exhaustive discussions" and due to lack of satisfactory action from the Chief Minister of West Bengal despite previous warnings.
Protest escalation
FAIMA's demand for action and safety, nationwide boycott
FAIMA has also voiced its demand for action and safety for all healthcare professionals in West Bengal and across the country.
The body has called for a nationwide boycott of elective services at hospitals to protest the West Bengal government's apparent indifference toward their colleagues who have been on an indefinite hunger strike for a week.
Political support
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar urges support for doctors' protest
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has appealed to Bharatiya Janata Party workers and the people of West Bengal to join the doctors' protest in large numbers.
He said that the West Bengal government had initially promised to fulfill doctors' demands during a meeting with the Chief Minister but have since rescinded on it.
Resignations
Senior doctors resign in solidarity with protesting juniors
In a related development, around 50 senior doctors and faculty members of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have resigned.
They took the step to show support for their junior colleagues who are on a hunger strike protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor on the institution's premises in August this year.