Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has called a strike of health care service across the country in response to the Delhi police’s brutality on ‘peacefully protesting’ doctors.
The Newster
In a press released, the resident’s Doctors body said, “FAIMA calls for complete withdrawal from all healthcare services across the country from 29/12/21 in protest against police brutality towards our colleagues in Delhi and for immediate declaration of NEET PG 2021 counselling schedule.”
The statement said that doctors who were peacefully protesting over delay in NEET counselling were brutally lathi charged and female doctors were brutally manhandled by the male cops.
“However, the lathi charge on our resident doctors and manhandling of many female residents by male police personnel during their peaceful demonstration is a pathetic display of the shameless attitude of the authorities, who we could not believe would stoop so low”, said the statement.
For the unversed, numbers of resident doctors are protesting over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling in Delhi. On Monday, a clash between police and doctors were reported when the protesting doctors tried to gherao the Health Minister’s house in Delhi. Both sides claimed injuries.
Doctors have been protesting against delay in NEET PG counselling for over a month. In a letter to the Prime Minster on December 24, the Indian Medical Association requested him to resolve the impediments in NEET PG counselling in order to increase the manpower on the pretext of Covid 19 third wave.
“This is to inform all that the medical fraternity stands absolutely shocked at the sheer display of unprovoked brute force by Delhi Police on our colleagues who have been peacefully protesting in Delhi and many other states since the last one month, with their genuine demand for the immediate declaration of NEET PG 2021 counselling schedule”, the statement read.
It further said, “FAIMA strongly condemns the abuse of power by the Delhi Police and demands immediate suspension of all police personnel at whose directions force was used on our doctors. The videos which have surfaced and the stories which have been shared are horrific and makes us question whether we have gone back to the barbaric times, or whether the administration feels like they can do whatever they want to suppress dissent?”
“We remind the authorities that FAIMA and its associated RDAs had shown great restraint till now and had not stopped emergency services. However, the government and the authorities have currently left us with no other option. If the authorities think they can get away with using whatever oppressive means they have at their disposal, they are wrong and it is time for all doctors to show unity and solidarity with our colleagues who have been mercilessly handled, gheraoed, dragged and detained!”, the letter said.
The body informed through the letter that it will on blanket strike from December 29.
“FAIMA has just now concluded a high-level meeting with our associated State RDAs and their representatives. In solidarity with FORDA and other RDAs already protesting in Delhi, we hereby call for Complete withdrawal from All Healthcare Services across the Country from 8 AM on 29/12/2021”, the letter said.
Read More: Jharkhand Assembly Passes Anti-Lynching Law; Punishment & Definition, All You Need To Know
Black day in medical fraternity history
Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) issued an statement on Monday and alleged the police of brute force on doctors and termed it as a ‘Black day in medical fraternity history’. The association also said the doctors were peaceful protesting and were thrashed by the police.
“There will be a complete shutdown of all Healthcare Institutions today onwards. We strongly condemn this brutality and demand immediate release of FORDA Representatives and Resident doctors,” the statement said.
AIIMS Residents Doctor Association Also Calls for Strike
The AIIMS Residents Doctor Association has also called a strike from December 29 if the no adequate response from the government is taken against the police brutality on doctors.
The association has demanded an immediate release of the detained doctors and also asked an apology from the police and the government over the matter.
“If no adequate response from the government is received within 24 hrs, AIIMS RDA shall proceed with a token strike on December 29 inducing shutdown of all non-emergency services. RDA, AIIMS does not believe in hampering of patient care services and hopes that the government will address the grievances in an appropriate and timely manner, and shall not force us to escalate the protest further,” the statement read. It further stated that the day will be “remembered as a black day for the medical fraternity.”
About Author
