Doctors across India have refused to return to work, except for emergency services, in protest to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This tragic incident has sparked nationwide protests among the medical community, who are demanding justice and enhanced security for healthcare workers.
Nationwide Strike by Resident Doctors
The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) announced a nationwide suspension of elective medical services on Monday. In a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, FORDA described the incident in Kolkata as "perhaps the greatest travesty to have occurred in the history of the resident doctor community." They have called for the resignation of all responsible authorities who failed to protect the dignity and life of the on-duty doctor. Additionally, FORDA has requested assurance that protesting doctors will not face any retaliation and has demanded swift action in the case.
Call for Enhanced Security Protocols
The doctors' association has also demanded stronger security measures for healthcare workers. They have urged the central government to enforce a mandated security protocol to ensure the safety of medical professionals in the workplace.
Protests Impact Hospital Operations Nationwide
The ongoing protests have significantly affected healthcare services across the country. In Kolkata, most hospitals have seen a sharp decline in patient care as doctors join the protests, demanding justice. Patients and their families have expressed their frustrations over the inconvenience caused by the disruption in services.
At King George's Medical University in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, doctors gathered to protest, marching to the outdoor patients' department and halting work there. Patients were seen banging on the OPD's closed doors, demanding treatment. In Mumbai, doctors from several prominent hospitals, including JJ Hospital, Sion Hospital, Nair Hospital, and King Edward Memorial Hospital, have also joined the protest.
AIIMS Delhi Sees Significant Reduction in Services
The number of daily surgeries at AIIMS Delhi has decreased by 80 percent, and admissions have dropped by 35 percent since doctors began an indefinite strike over the Kolkata incident. In response, AIIMS authorities issued a circular urging doctors to return to work, citing a High Court order that prohibits doctors from participating in protests on hospital premises.
IMA Demands Central Law
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Health Minister JP Nadda, calling for the enactment of a central law to curb attacks and violence against doctors. They argue that such a law would serve as a deterrent and help declare hospitals as safe zones. The IMA noted that while 25 states currently have laws to prevent attacks on doctors, these laws are largely ineffective on the ground due to the absence of a specific central enactment.
W Bengal CM tells police to complete probe
A civic volunteer who frequented the hospital has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of the Kolkata doctor. West Bengal's Chief Minister had given city police until Sunday to complete the investigation, after which the state government will consider recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
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