A 24-hour nationwide strike by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has commenced this morning at 6 am, protesting the recent rape and murder of a female doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The strike will continue until 6 am tomorrow, August 18.
During the strike, non-emergency medical services, including routine outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries, will be suspended. Essential services and emergency care will remain operational across all facilities where modern medicine doctors are employed.
The strike involves a withdrawal of non-emergency health services across the country. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) will be closed, and elective surgeries will be postponed. However, essential services and emergency care will remain operational at all facilities where modern medicine doctors are employed.
Dr Asokan, IMA’s National President, described the strike as a “movement for safety,” highlighting the strong support from doctors nationwide. He stated that the IMA will appeal to the Prime Minister, seeking a government response to address the safety concerns for women in the healthcare sector.
In response to the strike, the Union Health Ministry has announced the formation of a committee to explore and recommend measures for improving the safety of healthcare professionals. This decision follows a meeting with the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA), the IMA, and Resident Doctors’ Associations of Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Delhi. The committee will include representatives from various stakeholders, including state governments.
The Health Ministry has assured that it is attentive to the concerns raised and that all necessary steps will be taken to enhance safety measures. The Ministry has requested that the striking doctors resume their duties, emphasizing the public interest and the urgent need to address rising cases of dengue and malaria.
In Nagaland, the strike was announced by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Nagaland State Branch which was also endorsed by Indian Dental Association Nagaland, Nagaland Private Doctor Association, and Nagaland In-service Doctors Association (NIDA). The strike was observed across all districts in Nagaland.
The investigation into the crime was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court on August 13. Preliminary findings indicate that Sanjay Roy, the accused, had previously been reported for assault by his wife. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing a rally, criticized political parties for allegedly spreading misinformation and claimed that some parties were making efforts to obscure the truth. She has called for the death penalty for Roy and accused parties like CPI(M) and BJP of vandalizing RG Kar Hospital to destroy evidence and mislead the public.
Doctors’ demands
The IMA has put forward five key demands:
1. Legislative Action: The IMA is calling for significant policy changes to address violence against doctors and hospitals. Specifically, the doctors’ body is advocating for a Central Act that would integrate the amendments made in 2023 to the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the proposed Hospital Protection Bill of 2019. They believe this would strengthen existing legislation across 25 states. The IMA has suggested that an ordinance similar to the one enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic would be appropriate for this situation.
2. Hospital Safety: The IMA demands that hospitals be declared safe zones, starting with mandatory security entitlements. They propose that hospital security protocols should be comparable to those of airports, including the installation of CCTVs and the deployment of security personnel.
3. Improved Working Conditions: The IMA calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the working and living conditions for resident doctors. This includes addressing issues like the 36-hour duty shift that the victim was subjected to and the lack of safe spaces for rest.
4. Investigation and Justice: The IMA demands a “meticulous and professional” investigation into the Kolkata incident, with a specific timeframe for delivering justice. They also seek identification and exemplary punishment for those involved in the vandalism of the hospital premises.
5. Compensation: The IMA is calling for appropriate and dignified compensation for the bereaved family, reflecting the severity of the cruelty inflicted.
The trainee doctor was raped and murdered last week inside the medical college where she worked, sparking nationwide protests among doctors. The widespread outrage, fueled by frustration over ineffective laws and rising violence against women, has led to widespread demonstrations by doctors and women’s groups across the country. (With inputs from agencies)
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