Kolkata Rape-Murder: 5 Demands Of Doctors On 24-Hour Nationwide Strike

Doctors have begun their 24-hour nationwide strike today in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

New Delhi: In response to the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, doctors across the country have initiated a 24-hour strike today. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a halt to non-emergency medical services nationwide, starting at 6 am. This action comes a week after the shocking event at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which was further marred by vandalism on the premises.

The IMA stated that while essential services will continue and emergency cases will be handled, routine outpatient departments (OPDs) will be closed, and elective surgeries will be postponed.

 The IMA indicated that the strike would encompass all areas where doctors practicing modern medicine are active. They commented on the RG Kar incident, highlighting two critical aspects of violence in healthcare settings: the alarming crime against women stemming from inadequate safe spaces, and the unruly behavior that arises from the absence of a structured security system.

The crime and vandalism have deeply unsettled the nation’s conscience. “Both the medical community and the nation as a whole are victims today,” the statement emphasized.

Five Demands from Doctors on Nationwide Strike

The IMA has presented five key demands:

1. The association is advocating for a comprehensive policy to combat violence against healthcare professionals and facilities. They are urging for a Central Act that would integrate the 2023 amendments to the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the proposed Hospital Protection Bill of 2019, which they believe would enhance current laws across 25 states. The IMA suggests that an ordinance similar to the one implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic would be suitable in this context.

2. The IMA insists that hospitals be designated as safe zones, starting with mandatory security measures. “Security protocols in all hospitals should be equivalent to those at airports. Establishing hospitals as safe zones with compulsory security provisions is essential, with CCTVs and security personnel being implemented subsequently,” the statement noted.

3. A complete revamp of the working and living conditions for resident doctors is another demand, particularly highlighting the need to address the 36-hour shifts and the lack of safe resting spaces.

4. The IMA has called for a “thorough and professional” investigation into the Kolkata incident, ensuring justice is served within a specified timeframe, while also identifying and punishing those responsible for the vandalism at the hospital.

5. Lastly, the association seeks fair and dignified compensation for the family of the deceased, reflecting the severity of the tragedy.

The tragic rape and murder of the trainee doctor last week at a Kolkata medical college has ignited nationwide protests among medical professionals. There is growing anger over the ineffectiveness of stringent laws to curb the escalating violence against women, leading to widespread demonstrations by both doctors and women’s advocacy groups across the country.