"Patient care is the prime concern" IMA urges protesting doctors to resume work, a day ahead of SC RG Kar hearing

Amidst the ongoing protests by junior doctors over the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old PGT doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, the President of the Indian Medical Association on Wednesday asked the protesting doctors to return back to their duties and let the Supreme Court deal with the case.

“The sacrifice of the young postgraduate resident of RG Kar has moved the conscience of the nation. The anger and frustration of the entire nation are equally on the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter,” reads the letter issued by the President of the IMA.

The IMA stated that immediately after the heinous crime, the medical body had called for the withdrawal of services; however, the Supreme Court then took suo motu cognizance of the matter and asked the protesting doctors to trust the judiciary, noting that “Justice and medicine shouldn't stop.” “The medical fraternity was justifiably on the boil. The resident doctors hit the road with anger and deep sorrow. IMA called for the withdrawal of services barring emergency for 24 hours. Subsequently, the Honourable Supreme Court of India has taken suo moto cognizance of the situation and has formed a national task force… The Honourable Court has said to the doctors 'Trust us. Justice and medicine shouldn't stop. The Highest Court has spoken,” stated the letter.

The President of the IMA noted that the entire medical fraternity “should abide by the word given by the honourable court.” “Patient care and safety is the prime concern of the medical profession. All doctors of modern medicine should return to patient care leaving justice to the Honourable Supreme Court of India,” the letter added.

The gruesome rape and murder of the 31-year-old on-duty PGT doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata sent shockwaves across the nation. The medical fraternity along with common people took to the streets demanding justice for the life cut short. The Kolkata police had arrested Sanjoy Rai the prime accused in the case. Following a Calcutta High Court order the case has been transferred to the CBI, who have been probing into the incident from August 14.