Nationwide protest: Kolkata doctor rape-murder halts services.
In response to the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, medical services across the country have been significantly impacted due to a nationwide protest. Only emergency and casualty departments will remain operational, while outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries have been suspended. The withdrawal of services began at 6 a.m. on Saturday and is scheduled to continue until 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2024. This protest highlights the medical community’s outrage and demand for justice, as healthcare professionals temporarily halt routine services to draw attention to the severity of the incident.
In response to the nationwide outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a second-year trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has This unprecedented move, which began at 6 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, and will continue until 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2024, signifies the medical community’s deep frustration and demand for justice.
The IMA’s call for a strike is a direct reaction to the horrifying incident at the Kolkata medical college, where a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty on August 9, 2024. The medical fraternity nationwide has been shaken by this incident, sparking widespread protests and strikes in various cities.
According to the IMA, during this 24-hour period, only emergency and casualty services will remain operational. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs), elective surgeries, and other non-essential medical services have been suspended as part of the protest. The IMA emphasized that this action is necessary to draw attention to the need for greater safety and security for healthcare professionals, particularly women, who are increasingly vulnerable to such heinous crimes.
In New Delhi, the Resident Doctors’ Association of University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTBH) have continued their strike in solidarity with the national movement. They plan to hold a General Body meeting at 9:30 a.m. to discuss further actions. As part of their protest, all OPD services, elective procedures, and laboratory work have been halted. A representative of the association stated that this strike is a demonstration of their demand for justice for the victim and her family, emphasizing that it is not just about protesting but about ensuring that such incidents are never repeated.
Similarly, in Chennai, the Resident Doctors Associations of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Madras Medical College have organized a boycott protest. A resident doctor in Chennai explained that while emergency services would continue during the strike, all elective services have been suspended. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation, noting that although some individuals have been arrested, they are believed to be scapegoats, and the real culprits remain at large. “All we are asking for is justice for the victim and her family. It has been a week, but no serious investigation has been done,” he said.
In Mumbai, despite the nationwide strike, some hospital services are still running smoothly. A relative of a patient at Sion Hospital, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), reported that they had not encountered any issues despite the ongoing strike. He supported the doctors’ cause, stating that those responsible for the crime in Kolkata should be punished and emphasizing the importance of supporting doctors who serve the public selflessly. Another relative at the same hospital acknowledged that while there were fewer doctors on duty, services were still being provided effectively. He noted that the strike was necessary due to the gravity of the incident and expressed understanding for the doctors’ decision to continue their protest until a solution is reached.
The Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital also joined the nationwide strike, further amplifying the collective voice of the medical community demanding justice for the victim of the Kolkata incident. The participation of hospitals across the country highlights the widespread support for this cause and the urgency felt by healthcare professionals in ensuring that such tragedies are addressed promptly and effectively.
The General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, Anil Kumar J Nayak, has been a vocal advocate for the strike. He emphasized that all IMA members would observe the strike, with only emergency and casualty services remaining available. Nayak mentioned that the IMA had recently engaged in discussions with Union Health Minister JP Nadda regarding the implementation of stronger laws to curb attacks against doctors. He noted that the National Medical Commission (NMC) had issued circulars concerning the security and management of CCTV cameras in hospitals. Nayak stressed that doctors are willing to fulfill their duties as long as their safety is ensured, highlighting the increasing number of women in the medical profession, who now make up over 60% of the workforce.
Nayak also revealed that the IMA had met with the victim’s family, who he said were treated poorly by the hospital administration in Kolkata. He called for the National Commission for Women to visit Kolkata to assess the situation and offer support. Although the IMA has not yet been able to meet with the Chief Minister of West Bengal, they have presented their demands, which include enhanced safety and security measures for women in the medical field. Nayak described the current situation as a “do-or-die” moment for the unity of the medical community, emphasizing that this strike is not just about one incident but about the broader issue of ensuring a safe working environment for all doctors.
The nationwide withdrawal of services, initiated by the IMA, is a powerful statement by the medical community. The strike underscores the urgent need for action to protect healthcare workers, particularly women, from violence and abuse. The response to the tragic incident in Kolkata has been swift and widespread, with doctors across the country standing in solidarity to demand justice and systemic change.
As the protest continues, the medical community hopes that their unified stance will lead to meaningful reforms and a safer environment for all healthcare professionals. The next steps in the investigation into the Kolkata incident, as well as the government’s response to the demands of the IMA and other medical associations, will be crucial in determining the future of healthcare in India.