The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday appealed to the doctors to end their strike while assuring to form a committee to suggest measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals.

Doctors have launched a nation-wide strike on a call given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in protest against alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The statement from the Union health ministry came after representatives from the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and the Resident Doctors’ Associations of Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Delhi met with officials from the department in the national capital on Saturday.

The associations were told that the Centre was fully aware of the situation and was attentive to their demands. It was noted that 26 states have already enacted laws to protect healthcare workers within their jurisdictions.

Committee to be formed for suggesting safety measures 

To address the concerns raised, the union health ministry assured to form a committee that will explore all possible measures to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals, according to a press release.

The strike has led to the suspension of most non-emergency medical services for 24 hours, starting at 6 am on Saturday. On Friday, the IMA outlined five key demands, including a comprehensive overhaul of the working and living conditions for resident doctors, as well as the implementation of a central law to prevent violence against healthcare professionals.