Kolkata rape & murder case: Doctors on 24-hour nationwide strike
Amid growing protests over the gruesome rape-murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide strike during which routine OPD services and elective surgeries will not be conducted. IMA has called for a 24-hour withdrawal of medical services from 6 am on Saturday till Sunday.
However, all emergency services will be functional.
Key medical students organizations like The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) and Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) have joined the nationwide strike.
In its statement, the IMA has put forth a list of demands to ensure that security protocols of hospitals “be no less than (that of) an airport”.
Hospitals should be declared as safe zones with CCTVs and higher deployment of security personnel, it said. The doctors’ body also called for a thorough, swift investigation of the “barbaric” crime and asked for “appropriate and dignified” compensation to the victim’s family.
The nationwide strike comes a day after students across Indian cities conducted protest marches and staged dharnas against the alleged inaction over the horrific rape-murder that has sent shockwaves across the country.
Protesting doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the site of a horrific rape-murder of a trainee doctor, have leveled serious accusations against both the police and the ruling Trinamool Congress government.
In Jharkhand, all government and private hospitals are taking part in the strike, IMA said. Multiple medical organizations have also planned to take out a march in Ranchi later in the day. A sit-in protest by doctors is on at Assam Medical College and Hospital, the oldest medical college in the Northeast.
In Chennai, doctors have organized a boycott protest while outpatient departments of both government and private hospitals have been affected across West Bengal.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
I am ashamed the way this Mumtaz Begum has done for that little girl, who is raped & killed & murdered in a hospital. My head hangs in shame at such brutality. The strike should continue for next 12 years. Mumtaz Begum & entire TMC should be cursed to die of physical paralysis with bacteria attacking & eating them. West Bengal is cursed for their continued to support Mumtaz Begum.