The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has announced a nationwide hunger strike on Wednesday, in solidarity with the ongoing protests over the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor in West Bengal. This strike aims to amplify the voices of the doctors who have been advocating for better working conditions and security measures. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against the prime accused in the case.
The West Bengal government informed the Supreme Court that resident doctors are not performing inpatient and outpatient department work despite partially resuming their duties. This comes amidst continued protests following the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor in August. The court also reprimanded the state government for delays in implementing safety measures at medical facilities and ordered the CBI to share information about suspects still employed at the hospital.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has faced criticism from BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who accused her of excessive self-promotion during her speech to protesting junior doctors. Adhikari claims Banerjee referred to herself 76 times in a 9-minute speech, highlighting a perceived lack of empathy during the protests sparked by the brutal murder of a medical student.
The RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has suspended 51 doctors, including senior residents, house staff, interns, and professors, for allegedly promoting a culture of intimidation and hampering the democratic atmosphere of the institution. The suspension comes amidst ongoing protests by junior doctors demanding justice for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the hospital. The protesting doctors have vowed to continue their cease work action until their demands are met.
A rift within West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has emerged over the handling of the rape and murder case of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Senior TMC leader Sukhendu Shekhar Ray has called for the CBI to interrogate the Kolkata police commissioner and the college’s former principal, while other party members have criticized his demand, arguing that the police commissioner did his best in investigating the case.
A recent report circulating on social media falsely claimed the presence of 150 grams of semen in the body of the Kolkata doctor who was raped and murdered. This misinformation has been debunked by the official post-mortem report, which clarifies that the 150 grams mentioned refers to the weight of the victim’s uterus, not any fluid. Forensic experts have explained the process of collecting and analyzing forensic evidence, highlighting the crucial role of DNA profiling in identifying the perpetrator(s).
The head of the chest department at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata has criticized the hospital’s handling of information related to the death of a trainee doctor, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The hospital had reportedly informed the victim’s parents that she had died by suicide, but an autopsy later revealed evidence of sexual assault and multiple injuries. The case has sparked outrage and led to the arrest of a police volunteer, while the investigation has been transferred to the CBI.
Following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, resident doctors across India have gone on strike, demanding justice and increased safety measures for healthcare workers. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) has extended their indefinite strike after a meeting with Union health ministry officials failed to yield a resolution. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with various medical associations calling for a nationwide shutdown of OPD services and demanding a thorough investigation into the case.
