FORDA halts elective services nationwide in Solidarity with RG Kar medical college residents

New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): In an outrage over the tragic rape and murder of a second-year resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has announced a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals, starting Monday, 12th August 2024.

The post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, which has led to widespread outrage and protests.

In a letter addressed to the Union Health Minister JP Nadda, FORDA expressed its deep condemnation of the horrific circumstances surrounding the death, describing it as “perhaps the greatest travesty to have occurred in the history of the resident doctor community.”

The association emphasized that the tragedy is not just an attack on their profession but on the very essence of humanity itself.

The letter also highlights the demands that have emerged as a result of this tragic event. FORDA is calling for the expeditious acceptance of the demands put forth by the residents of R.G. Kar Medical College, including the resignation of the responsible authorities, such as the Principal, MSVP, Dean, and the Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine. They have also demanded action against the Assistant Commissioner of Police of the RG Kar MC&H police outpost, who they believe failed in their duty to protect the dignity and life of a woman who, in this case, was an on-duty doctor.

“Resignation of all the responsible authorities, which include Principal, MSVP, Dean,

HOD of pulmonary medicine, ACP of RG Kar MC&H police outpost, who could not

perform their duty of protecting the dignity and life of a WOMAN who was in this case

an on duty doctors,” FORDA mentioned in the letter.

Additionally, FORDA has insisted on an assurance that no police brutality or manhandling of the protesting doctors will occur, and that their right to peaceful protest will be respected. The association is also demanding justice for the deceased doctor and appropriate compensation for her family.

“This is an urgent necessity and should be completed without delay. FORDA stands ready to

contribute and provide any assistance necessary to achieve these goals.

We hope that the government will take immediate action to address our demands and ensure the safety and security of all healthcare professionals,” the letter further read.