In response to the alleged rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata’s RG Medical College and Hospital, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanded a complete closure of all outpatient departments (OPDs) across the state. This unfortunate incident has outraged medical professionals as hospitals have been thrown into disorder and demonstrations have erupted everywhere in the country.
In their letter to Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, the IMA has expressed its shock and sorrow at this heinous crime. The letter said that immediate action should be taken to safeguard the lives of healthcare workers, which includes stopping violence against doctors through a central law to make hospitals safe zones.
The demonstrations began in Kolkata and swiftly expanded throughout the country, with physicians from major hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow joining the strike. Elective procedures and non-emergency medical treatments have been suspended, causing hardship among patients and their families. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) suspended elective services, calling the Kolkata episode “perhaps the greatest travesty in the history of the resident doctor community.”
The situation in Kolkata continues heated as young physicians at RG Kar Medical College criticise the measures of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has set a seven-day deadline to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, political figures have engaged in a verbal battle, with Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh defending the Chief Minister’s conduct and BJP leaders demanding an immediate Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.
The accused in the case, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with a history of domestic violence, has been arrested. Reports indicate that he went to a police barracks and slept after committing the crime. The police have also summoned several hospital staff members, including the Head of Department, to assist in the investigation.
As the protests continue, the IMA has reiterated its call for the central government to introduce the “Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Property Damage) Bill 2019” in Parliament, with the necessary amendments to protect healthcare workers.
The strike has had a substantial impact on medical services, with institutions such as AIIMS Delhi reporting an 80% fall in daily procedures and a 35% decline in admissions. Patients around the country are experiencing significant disruptions in care, with many voicing irritation and outrage over the situation.
The IMA and other medical groups have pledged to continue protesting until justice is served and sufficient safeguards are put in place to protect physicians and healthcare workers from assault. As the nation watches, the clamour for action gets stronger, with the medical community standing unified in their pursuit of safety and justice.
