The IMA calls for a 24-hour strike on August 17, 2024, advocating for central legislation and improved security protocols to safeguard healthcare professionals in India.
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Nationwide Strike by IMA on August 17
The Indian Medical Association will observe pan-India withdrawal of non-emergency medical services for a period of 24 hours w.e.f. 6:00 a.m. on 17th August 2024. Agitation is due to the heinous rape and subsequent murder of a trainee lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. IMA move points toward better safety and working conditions that healthcare professionals have to adhere to in the wake of killing a woman trainee doctor whose matter shook the conscience of the nation; most of the resident doctors get exploited on work pressure and remain easy targets.
Demands by IMA
IMA had five major demands whereby they tried pinpointing those system flaws in India that health professionals are facing. Operationalised, the five demands are as follows:
- That shall undertake the complete revamping of the working and living conditions of Resident Doctors. The RG Kar Medical College incident epitomised the pathetic condition of young doctors, most of whom work for extended and long hours—reports say it is a 36-hour duty. Rest rooms within the precincts of hospitals would thus be one major focus of the IMA. Another major focus would be the reduction of such long working hours, which leave doctors spent, physically and mentally exhausted, and vulnerable to various risks.
- The IMA has been demanding an effective central law to protect health professionals against violence at the workplace. The Association has been pushing to see amendments made to the Epidemic Diseases Act in 1897 included in 2023 within the proposed Hospital Protection Bill, 2019. Changes, according to the IMA, would essentially strengthen existing legislation that is aimed at protecting health workers from attacks at present in 25 states with much more formidable legal protection. They have further issued an ordinance similar to that issued at the time of COVID-19 for contribution towards the prevailing crisis.
- Now, critical demands raised by the IMA include professional investigation into the crime within the stipulated period so that justice gets delivered without any delay; persons responsible for causing devastation at RG Kar Medical College premises on the night of August 14 are identified and given exemplary punishment. Such a step shall bring in accountability and deterrence for prevention of recurrence of such incidents of violence against healthcare workers, says the association.
- The IMA has also demanded that the security arrangement in hospitals should not be less than the security arrangements enforced at airports. This shall ensure CCTVs installation, adequate security personnel deployment, and the hospitals do have comprehensive security protocols to ensure that very fact: the hospital indeed is a no-go zone for hooligans and a safe zone for patients and healthcare workers alike. IMA demands declaration of hospitals as no-violence zones with security provisions be made mandatory by the law. This can thus become an intrinsic part of prevention and protection. 5. Compensation to the Bereaved Family
- The last demand that the agitationists made on behalf of the IMA was to pay suitable, respectful compensation for the family members of the deceased trainee doctor. Compensation shall have to be commensurate with the heinousness and cruelty of the crime, according to the association; it should give justice to the family and some financial security during this grave hour of crisis.
The Urgent Need for Systemic Reforms
The IMA strikes and the charter of demands stand at a much deeper level: protection and doctor working conditions in India’s health system.
Yes, there will be a 24-hour hit in nonemergency services, but IMA assured that all emergency services and essential services shall be managed. Effectively, it is that kind of reminder to the health professionals for associated risks and the urge for urgent reforms in a system for their safety and well-being.
