The tragic murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sent shockwaves through the medical community in India. In response, resident doctors across the country have gone on strike, demanding justice and improved safety measures for healthcare workers. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) has extended their indefinite strike after a meeting with Union health ministry officials failed to produce a solution.
The strike follows a nationwide call for a shutdown of OPD services by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) as a protest against the heinous crime. The incident, which occurred on August 9th, has sparked widespread outrage and protests across India.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised a swift investigation and assured the public that the perpetrator will face the full force of the law. She has also stated that the case will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if necessary. However, the strike continues as doctors demand a thorough and independent investigation into the incident.
The accused, Sanjay Roy, a former ‘civic volunteer’ at the hospital, has been apprehended by police. Roy, a trained boxer, reportedly had close connections with some senior police officers, which facilitated his access to the hospital. His unrestricted movement within the hospital has raised questions about security protocols and has sparked concerns about potential negligence within the institution.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the case and for the West Bengal government to ensure that the perpetrators are punished. The IMA has also written to Union Minister JP Nadda, requesting a detailed inquiry into the factors that allowed the crime to occur and urging steps to enhance the safety of doctors, particularly women, in the workplace.
The strike has disrupted medical services in several major hospitals across India, including the Maulana Azad Medical College, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Institute of Human Behaviour, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, and National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases Hospital. The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare workers and the urgent need for better security measures to protect them in their workplaces.
