Doctors Across India Halt OPD Services Amid Nationwide Protest in Response to RG Kar Medical College Rape Horror
In response to the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) call for a 24-hour strike, healthcare services have been disrupted nationwide. The strike, which began at 6 am today and will continue until Sunday, has led to the suspension of routine outpatient department (OPD) services and elective surgeries. However, emergency services remain operational.
This strike is a reaction to the recent brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital. In solidarity, doctors from major cities are participating in the strike. In Delhi, OPD services at prominent hospitals such as Guru Teg Bahadur, Ram Manohar Lohia, and AIIMS are suspended. Similarly, hospitals in Jharkhand and Assam are affected, with sit-in protests and marches planned in various locations.
In Chennai and West Bengal, outpatient departments in both government and private hospitals are experiencing disruptions. The IMA’s Chandigarh unit has also suspended OPD services and organized a protest march, while over 1,000 doctors in Bengaluru are set to protest at the IMA office.
The IMA is advocating for significant reforms to improve the working and living conditions of resident doctors, including demands for a central law to protect medical professionals from workplace violence. The association has called for heightened security measures in hospitals, including CCTV surveillance and increased security personnel.
The strike follows recent protests by medical students across India, who have demonstrated against the perceived inadequate response to the Kolkata incident. Doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have accused local authorities of mishandling the case and attempting to obscure evidence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now leading the investigation into the case, with ongoing efforts to question suspects identified in connection with the crime.
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