The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is holding a 24-hour nationwide strike today, August 17, in response to the alleged brutal rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The strike involves the withdrawal of non-emergency and outpatient department (OPD) services starting at 6 am across the country.
Medical professionals from both public and private healthcare facilities have joined the protest, expressing their outrage and demanding justice for the deceased doctor. The strike aims to highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures for healthcare workers and to hold authorities accountable for the tragic incident.
Across India, various states are witnessing the impact of the strike. In Karnataka, the government has suspended leaves for medical officers and surgeons in government hospitals, ensuring the continued operation of emergency services. In Maharashtra, thousands of senior resident doctors have joined the strike, highlighting the widespread support for the protest.
In Goa, the IMA is organizing a protest march to demand justice for the doctor and address women’s safety concerns in workplaces. The march will involve various medical associations and will proceed to the Old GMC Complex near ESG.
The Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) in Delhi has announced the suspension of routine OPD and operation theatre services due to the protest. Doctors at Safdarjung and RML hospitals are participating in a silent protest march, sporting black ribbons in solidarity with their protesting colleagues.
The strike underscores the growing concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in India. The incident in Kolkata has sparked widespread outrage and demands for immediate action to address the issue of violence against medical professionals. The nationwide strike is a powerful demonstration of the medical community’s resolve to ensure justice for the victim and to create a safer working environment for all healthcare providers.
