Doctors Stage Nationwide Strike in Protest

Several doctors from hospitals all around India are gearing up to start an indefinite strike beginning Monday. This comes as a response to recent alarming events at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, where resident doctors have been protesting for the past few days.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association, also known as FORDA, announced that they would be halting all elective services across the country starting Monday. They stated, “As a mark of our solidarity with the colleagues of RG Kar, we announce a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals.”

Doctors in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata plan to join in this strike until an investigation into a serious incident is conducted. It’s important to note that elective services refer to medical procedures that aren’t urgent or necessary.

In Delhi alone, ten government hospitals are participating in this indefinite strike. This includes facilities like Maulana Azad Medical College, RML Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, among others.

During this period, all outpatient departments, operation theatres, and regular ward duties will be shut down. However, emergency services will remain operational to ensure that urgent patient care is not disrupted.

Dr. Suresh Kumar, the medical director at LNJP Hospital, commented on the situation, saying they won’t be providing OPD services but have made special arrangements to avoid inconveniencing patients. He emphasized the need for heightened security for doctors and staff following the troubling incident in Bengal.

A junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College, where the incident took place, stressed the necessity for an impartial investigation by the CBI or a sitting magistrate, expressing dissatisfaction with the current police probe. They vowed to continue protesting until justice is served and safety is guaranteed for all healthcare professionals.

The doctors are calling on the state government to hasten the prosecution of the accused in the case. FORDA has laid out five key demands, including the immediate acceptance of RG Kar Medical College’s residents’ requests and the assurance of no police violence against the protesting doctors.

A tragic incident has rocked the medical community, as the body of a young woman doctor was discovered in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College. The 28-year-old was reportedly sexually assaulted before her death, as revealed by autopsy findings.

The alleged perpetrator was arrested soon after, facing serious charges including rape and murder. In light of the situation, Sandip Ghosh has resigned from his position and government service, while the medical superintendent of the college has also been replaced.