New Delhi: In a show of solidarity with the protesting doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, late Thursday night, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of medical services starting 6 a.m. on Saturday till 6 a.m. on Sunday in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
The service suspension will impact non-essential medical services, such as routine OPD and elective procedures. This means that patients with non-urgent medical needs may experience delays in their treatment. Nonetheless, essential services like casualty departments will continue functioning as usual, ensuring that critical cases are still attended to.
The medical community nationwide protested after the IMA, in a statement signed by its national president, R.V. Asokan, voiced concerns over how the Kolkata Police and medical college administration handled the case.
“Subsequent to the brutal crime at the R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata and the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students on the eve of Independence Day, the Indian Medical Association declares nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday for 24 hours.
“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 nation’s sympathy with the just cause of its doctors,” the statement read.
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The IMA said that on August 13, the Calcutta High Court asked the state police to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while expressing discontent with the probe conducted so far.
“They also flagged the possibility of destruction of evidence if the state police continued with the investigation. On August 15, the hospital was vandalised by a large crowd which destroyed various sections. The medical students who were in protest were attacked as well.
“Doctors, especially women, are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession. It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses. Both physical assaults and crimes are results of indifference and insensitivity of the concerned authorities to the needs of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.” the IMA said in the statement.
The IMA’s statement expresses their deep disappointment and frustration, stating, “The events that have unfolded since, particularly the violence last night, have shocked and anguished us all. This represents a dark chapter for our profession. We strongly condemn the Union Ministry and state government for failing to honour their commitments and ensure the safety of healthcare professionals during this crisis.” This condemnation is a reflection of the IMA’s disappointment and frustration.
Resident Doctor’s Association FORDA decides to resume strike
Earlier on Thursday, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), a key doctors’ body in the country, announced the resume of its strike in protest against the R.G. Kar incident with “renewed resolve” just two days after it decided to call it off.
In a statement issued on Thursday, FORDA said, “In light of the recent troubling events at R.G. Kar Medical College, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association addresses our colleagues, the medical community, and the public with renewed resolve… We acknowledge that our earlier decision to call off the strike, made in good faith based on assurances from the Ministry, has caused distress and disappointment within our community. We accept responsibility for this and understand the widespread discontent it has caused.
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(Photo: IANS/Ramesh Sharma)
