Delhi Doctors End Strike After Guaranteed Increase in Security
The Resident Doctors Association led a strike this week after a medical student was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s attendant. The Delhi government quickly agreed to increase security in the hospitals through CCTV cameras, marshals, alarm systems, councilors and social workers.
- By Kaitlyn DeHaven
- July 10, 2019
After a medical student was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s attendant at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, doctors at three major hospitals in Dehli went on strike, demanding security and CCTV. The strike was led by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) and was meant to protest over the violence against doctors in Delhi.
During the strike, both regular and emergency services were shut. The strike ended quickly as Delhi government agreed to fulfill the demands of the doctors on Monday.
“As discussed in the meeting with health Secretary, Delhi government, and MD of LNJP Hospital on July 8, the demands of resident doctors of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) have been agree upon. We hereby call off the strike,” RDA said in an official statement.
Delhi government will deploy marshals, install alarm systems and CCTV cameras, appoint councilors and social workers. They have agreed not to take actions against the doctors who participated in the strike.
“We condemn any sort of attack on doctors,” Satyendra Jain, the Delhi health minister, said. “Institutional FIR has been registered against yesterday’s decision. We are ready [to install] CCTVs inside rooms where patients visit. Marshals will also be soon deployed.”
The deployment of marshals was implemented on Monday, and the government has promised to provide more marshals within a month. The strike was called off at 6 p.m. Monday.
According to Sanjeev Khirwar, the Delhi health secretary, eventually as many as 48 marshals will be deployed. There will be 16 in each of the three shifts across the hospital campus.
About the Author
Kaitlyn DeHaven is the Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.