Doctors' Strike Continues: Urgent Call for Clinical Practice Allowance Action

Major doctors' associations announced a continued strike until the Health Ministry addresses the Clinical Practice Allowance issue. Both FORDA and FAIMA reaffirmed this during a Supreme Court hearing on the Kolkata rape and murder case. They plan to seek justice via legal channels and improve healthcare worker safety.

Major doctors' associations have declared their intention to persist with their strike until concrete action is taken by the Health Ministry on the Clinical Practice Allowance (CPA) issue.

On the ninth day of the strike, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FORDA) and the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) released statements following a Supreme Court hearing regarding the Kolkata rape and murder case.

The FAIMA Doctors Association emphasized that it is 'now or never' for CPA action, and they will pursue justice through the Supreme Court. OPD and elective operating theaters remain closed due to the strike.

FORDA India, responding to the Supreme Court's interventions and calls for improved healthcare worker safety, conducted a nationwide virtual meeting with over 35 representatives.

The Supreme Court has set up a 10-member task force to develop a national protocol for doctor safety, with an interim report due in three weeks and a final report within two months.

(With inputs from agencies.)