Doctors across the nation are organizing a 24-hour protest over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is the largest organization representing medical professionals in India with 4 lakh members, has declared a nationwide strike commencing at 6 am on Saturday, August 17, and concluding at 6 am on Sunday, August 18.
IMA press release – “All essential services will be maintained. Casualties will be manned. Routine OPDs will not function and elective surgeries will not be conducted. The withdrawal is across all the sectors wherever modern medicine doctors are providing service. IMA requires the sympathy of the nation with the just cause of its doctors.”
The upcoming strike is anticipated to be the most extensive in more than ten years, and it is set to result in the closure of the majority of hospital departments except for essential services.
The protests are a result of the tragic incident on August 9th, where a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was reportedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
What happened till now?
A trainee doctor, 31 years old, was discovered dead with multiple injuries in a government teaching hospital RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. It was believed that she had sought a brief respite in the hospital’s seminar hall during a long shift.
Initially, the victim’s parents were informed by hospital authorities that their daughter had taken her own life, but an autopsy revealed that she had been raped and murdered.
The Kolkata High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday.
On Friday, significant demonstrations were held in several cities, demanding justice and improved security at medical campuses and hospitals.
On the eve of India’s Independence Day, feminist groups in Kolkata arranged a protest named “Reclaim the Night” to show support for the victim and demand the resignation of the principal of RG Kar Medical College. Although the protest was mainly peaceful, a small group of men vandalized the medical college premises. Police were called to break up the group and restore order. The police have reported that they have arrested 19 individuals thus far.
What will open and close during this nationwide doctors strike?
This weekend, many hospital departments will be closed, including outpatient departments and elective surgery services. However, essential services such as emergency care and critical treatments will still be available.
Casualty services will also remain open to address urgent medical needs. The strike will impact both public and private hospitals, affecting all areas where modern medicine doctors work.
Support from doctors throughout the country of India.
The Resident Doctors Association at Government Medical College, Amritsar, has made an announcement that all non-essential and elective hospital services, including outpatient departments (OPDs), operating theaters (OTs), and wards, will be suspended starting from August 16 until further notice.
On August 16, Resident Doctors’ Associations from various hospitals in Delhi will join together for a protest march starting at 2pm from Nirman Bhavan in the National Capital.
The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has planned a candle march at India Gate at 5pm on August 16 to protest the recent rape-murder incident.
In response to the incident, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) will be organizing a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on August 16.
The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) has called for a 12-hour general strike in Siliguri on August 16 to protest the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The strike has led to significant disruptions in the city, with most shops closing since 6pm on Thursday.
