Doctors Strike Nationwide Health OPD Services Over Kolkata Rape Case

Photo : ANI

New Delhi: Healthcare services nationwide have been disrupted as doctors have responded to a call from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for a 24-hour strike, starting at 6 am on Saturday and continuing through Sunday. This action comes in the wake of widespread outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital.

During the strike, all routine outpatient departments (OPD) and elective surgeries have been suspended. However, emergency medical services will continue to operate normally to ensure that urgent medical needs are met.

In Jharkhand, both government and private hospitals have joined the strike. Medical organizations in Ranchi are scheduled to hold a march later in the day. Similarly, Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh is hosting a sit-in protest by doctors, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Delhi's Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital will maintain its ongoing strike today, affecting OPD and laboratory services. In Chennai, doctors are staging a boycott protest, while the outpatient departments of both government and private hospitals across West Bengal are also impacted.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

In Chandigarh, the IMA unit has suspended OPD services and organized a protest march scheduled for 11 am today. Bengaluru will see participation from over 1,000 doctors in a protest at the IMA office.

The IMA, representing a significant portion of India’s medical professionals, has issued several demands. These include an overhaul of working conditions for resident doctors, which often involve grueling 36-hour shifts, and the establishment of safer rest areas. The association is calling for the implementation of a central law to protect medical professionals from workplace violence.

The IMA's statement emphasizes that hospital security should match that of airports, with increased CCTV surveillance and a higher deployment of security personnel. The organization is also demanding a swift and thorough investigation into the crime and appropriate compensation for the victim’s family.

Key medical student organizations such as the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) and the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) have also joined the strike. This follows a series of protests by students across Indian cities, condemning the alleged inaction and mishandling of the case.

In Kolkata, where the crime took place, doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have accused the police of mishandling the investigation and the ruling Trinamool Congress government of attempting to cover up the incident. The case is now under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has identified at least 30 suspects and has begun interrogations.

The nationwide strike highlights the ongoing concerns about safety and justice for medical professionals, as well as the broader issues of systemic failures within the healthcare and law enforcement systems.