In response to the rape and murder of a trainee medical student in Kolkata, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide strike on August 17, which will affect all OPDs and elective surgeries in government, private and corporate hospitals. The action comes after an emergency meeting with the state branches of the IMA following a violent attack on protesting doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.
The IMA has announced that accident and emergency services will continue, with other services including OPD and elective surgery closed for 24 hours from 6 am on August 17 to 6 am on August 18. IMA national president Dr R V Ashokan urged the government to recognise hospitals as safe zones and implement the Central Protection Act for healthcare workers.
The demand for action comes after days of tension.
Protests by medical professionals across the country intensified due to social media images of attacks on resident and junior doctors. The situation has united resident doctors’ associations across the country, withdrawing the previous decision to call off the strike following an assurance by Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
Despite the grim situation, the resolve of the medical fraternity has been further strengthened, with more protests planned outside the health ministry in Delhi, including the candle march and the protest march. The international medical community has also expressed solidarity, and the protest has spread to Times Square in the United States.
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