Having been assured of resolving the admission process of the NEET-PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate) admissions at the earliest along with the quashing of the FIRs filed against some of the protesters, the striking doctors finally returned to their duties today, on December 31.
The strike, which lasted 15 days, was announced by the doctors who stated that the delay in the admission process of the first year students has led to a shortage of doctors and resulted in long working hours for them.
#PressRelease: Following meetings with @MoHFW_INDIA & @DelhiPolice officials, it has been decided to call off the agitation. We are thankful to every #RDA, #ResidentDoctor, #Media personnel, #Political parties & #Citizen of the nation who came forward in support for the cause🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/g960DE16Ng
— FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) December 31, 2021
The FIR was filed against a group of doctors who had marched to the Supreme Court while raising slogans against the government.
The President of Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) Dr Manish Kumar was quoted, “The strike has been called off. We will rejoin work at 12 pm. We had a meeting with the joint commissioner of police (CP) last night where he gave instructions to cancel the FIR. As for the NEET-PG, we have been assured that the court clearance will come during the January 6 hearing.”
Also Read: Doctors’ protest: ‘Third wave will witness shortage of doctors if prompt action not taken’
Prior to their meeting with the police commissioner, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had also conducted a meeting with the doctors on December 28 where he said that the government would submit its report before the January 6 hearing and ensure that counselling happens at the earliest. However, the doctors refused to call off the strike then. He assured the doctors that no action would be taken based on the FIR.
I had shot this video on Dec 27 when Delhi Police was detaining the resident docs from the ITO. Visuals show how the young medicos wrestled with the cops to prevent the fellow docs from getting detained. @FordaIndia #ExpediteNEETPGCounselling2021 #Doctorsstrike #DoctorsProtest pic.twitter.com/VojwwXZeVI
— Ashish Srivastava (@AshishOnGround) December 30, 2021