A nationwide strike by doctors in response to the tragic murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata has severely impacted services at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. According to an official report, AIIMS Delhi has seen over a 90% reduction in admissions, outpatient services (OPDs), and surgeries. While emergency services and intensive care units (ICUs) are functioning normally, other vital services, including radiological investigations, nuclear medicine, and laboratory tests, have been significantly affected.
Doctors at AIIMS Delhi participated in a protest march within the campus on Saturday, holding posters and chanting slogans demanding justice for the slain doctor. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the leading medical body in India, has called for a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of services by all modern medicine doctors across the country. This strike, aimed at highlighting the growing issue of violence against healthcare professionals, will see the suspension of OPDs and elective surgeries from 6 am on Saturday until 6 am on Sunday, August 18, 2024. Emergency and casualty services will remain operational.
The IMA has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the investigation of the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, emphasizing the need for swift justice and stronger measures to protect healthcare workers. The incident, which occurred on August 9, has sparked widespread anger and outrage within the medical community, leading to protests and strikes across India. The strike serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and underscores the urgent need to address the issue of violence against medical personnel.
