In response to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, doctors from hospitals nationwide have called for an indefinite strike starting Monday. This move follows several days of protests by resident doctors who have now decided to halt all non-emergency services.
Key Developments in the Ongoing Strike:
Nationwide Impact: Hospitals in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, will suspend elective services, which encompass non-urgent and medically unnecessary procedures, until the investigation into the case is concluded.
Delhi Hospitals Affected: Ten government hospitals in Delhi, including Maulana Azad Medical College, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, GTB, IHBAS, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, and the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases, have commenced an indefinite strike.
Operational Adjustments: According to the Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDA), while outpatient departments (OPDs), operation theatres (OTs), and ward duties will be halted, emergency services will remain operational to ensure that urgent patient care is not disrupted.
Hospital-Specific Measures: Dr. Suresh Kumar, Managing Director of LNJP Hospital, indicated that while OPD services will be suspended, special arrangements are in place to prevent inconvenience to patients. He emphasized heightened vigilance regarding the safety of medical staff in light of recent events.
Calls for Justice: A junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College, where the tragic incident occurred, has called for an impartial investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a sitting magistrate. The doctor expressed dissatisfaction with the current police investigation and stressed the need for enhanced security for healthcare workers.
Government Demands: The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) has articulated five primary demands: prompt action on the RG Kar Medical College residents’ demands, protection of the right to peaceful protest without police brutality, swift justice and compensation for the victim’s family, implementation of a national security protocol for healthcare workers, and the formation of an expert committee to expedite the Central Healthcare Protection Act.
Details of the Kolkata Case:
The victim, a 28-year-old second-year postgraduate student in respiratory medicine at RG Kar Medical College, was found dead in a semi-naked state in a seminar hall on Friday morning. The autopsy revealed she had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and smothered. The report noted significant injuries and bleeding from multiple areas, including her private parts.
Following the incident, the police have arrested a suspect, who is currently in custody facing charges under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh, has resigned, and the medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal, Sanjay Vashisth, has been replaced by Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the dean of student affairs.
The ongoing strike underscores the critical need for systemic changes to ensure the safety and security of healthcare professionals and to address the urgent demands for justice.
