Nationwide Strike Announced
In a significant move reflecting widespread outrage and concern, doctors across India are set to go on an indefinite strike in response to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. This unprecedented action will halt all elective services in hospitals in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The strike aims to underscore the demand for justice and enhanced security measures for medical professionals.
Delhi Hospitals Lead the Strike
The strike has already begun at ten major government hospitals in Delhi, starting Monday, August 12. These hospitals include Maulana Azad Medical College, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, GTB Hospital, IHBAS, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, and the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases Hospital. According to a statement from the Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDA), all elective services such as outpatient departments (OPDs), operation theatres (OTs), and ward duties will be suspended during the strike. Emergency services, however, will continue to operate as usual to ensure that critical patient care remains unaffected.
Solidarity and Calls for Action
The decision to strike is a demonstration of solidarity with the colleagues at RG Kar Medical College, where the horrifying incident occurred. The RDA has emphasized that this action is not taken lightly but is necessary to ensure that the voices of the medical community are heard. The protesters are demanding not only justice for the victim but also enhanced safety measures and security protocols for medical staff across the country. The strike is intended to draw attention to the serious issue of violence against healthcare workers and the need for urgent reforms to protect them.
Details of the Incident
The indefinite strike follows the brutal rape and murder of a 32-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Her body was discovered in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital late Thursday night. The initial autopsy report revealed that the victim sustained severe injuries, including bleeding from her eyes, mouth, and private areas, as well as injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, and ring finger. The brutal nature of the crime has intensified the demands for immediate action and heightened security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Police Response and Investigation
In response to the tragedy, City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has visited RG Kar Medical College twice over the past few days to meet with the agitating junior doctors and address their concerns. Goyal has assured the public that the investigation into the crime is being conducted with transparency and has urged against the spread of rumors. So far, the police have arrested Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who frequented the hospital but is not formally associated with it. Roy is accused of attempting to destroy evidence by washing his clothes after returning home on the night of the murder.
The indefinite strike by doctors across India highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures and a thorough investigation into the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College. The suspension of elective services reflects the serious concerns of the medical community about their safety and the need for immediate action. This nationwide strike serves as a powerful statement demanding justice for the victim and systemic changes to protect healthcare workers from violence and ensure their safety in the future.
(With inputs from agencies)
