Doctors' association FAIMA calls for shutdown of elective services in hospitals across country from Monday

The Federation of All India Medical Association on Sunday has called nationwide medical associations and resident doctors to initiate a boycott of elective services from October 14 in support of the protesting junior doctors in West Bengal.

"We demand action and safety for all healthcare professionals in West Bengal and throughout the country," said a post on social media.



The statement said, "After exhaustive discussions, we have unanimously decided that it is time to unite on a national scale. We had given an ultimatum for escalation to the Chief Minister of West Bengal in a previous letter, however no satisfactory action has been seen, compelling us to request all RDAs and medical associations across the country to join us in our call for a shutdown of elective services across the country, commencing Monday," the body said in a communication."



The open letter was addressed to National Medical Associations, state Resident Doctors' Associations (RDAs) and Resident Doctors' Associations (RDAs) from various medical colleges and institutes of national importance


The announcement comes after an urgent meeting by the association with the Resident Doctors' Association on Saturday. "Resident doctors protesting across the country have continued to be harassed despite Chief Justice's orders of no punitive measures to be take against them," said the statement.
However, the statement also said that it requested all medical associations and resident doctors to keep 24*7 emergency facilities open since patients in need of urgent services should not suffer.

The statement further stated that the decision was not be taken lightly and that FAIMA was left with no alternative but to take a stand for the sanctity of the medical profession and all healthcare workers.

Additionally, FAIMA asked all RDAs to convene immediate general body meetings and join in solidarity with West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front.

WBJDF hunger strike

The hunger strike by junior doctors of West Bengal to press for their demands following the RG Kar hospital incident entered the ninth day on Sunday, even as their health parameters continue to decline. Three of the junior doctors who were observing 'fast unto death' in Kolkata and Siliguri have so far been hospitalised after their condition deteriorated.


"Their conditions are worsening but the state administration remains unmoved," a leader of the agitating Junior Doctors Forum said.

The agitators have been demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, workplace security and other measures.

The doctors have urged people to observe "Arandhan" (no cooking) on Sunday to show solidarity and support for their cause.

A large number of people visited the venue of the hunger strike during the past few days when the Durga Puja festivities were on.

The hunger strike followed nearly 50 days of 'cease work' in two phases. Their agitation began after an on-duty postgraduate trainee was allegedly raped and murdered inside state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

While one person was arrested by the Kolkata Police the next day, the CBI is now investigating the case on a Calcutta High Court order.

Mass resignations by senior doctors

Earlier this week, a group of senior doctors at R G Kar Medical College sent a collectively signed "mass resignation" letter in solidarity with their protesting junior colleagues. Subsequently, similar letters were sent by doctors from other state-run hospitals.

Junior doctors at several government hospitals in the state are on a fast-unto-death demanding justice for their murdered colleague, the resignation of the state's health secretary, and enhanced workplace security.

The government asserted that healthcare services in state-run hospitals have not been disrupted, as senior doctors continue to work normally. The junior doctors had called off their 'total cease work' at state-run medical colleges and hospitals on October 4.

The mass resignations are being interpreted as a symbolic gesture of solidarity from senior doctors with their junior counterparts, the government said.