Medics Strike Nationwide as Anger Grows Over Doctor’s Rape and Murder

On August 16, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a nationwide strike set for Saturday. The action follows the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor who was working a night shift at a public hospital in Kolkata. This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of medical professionals in the country.

The IMA, representing around 400,000 doctors, stated that services would be withdrawn from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. The decision comes as public outrage grows over the brutal killing of the 31-year-old resident doctor and the perceived inadequate response to the case. In a statement on platform X, the association clarified that the strike would affect all sectors where modern medicine is practiced, indicating that routine outpatient services would be halted and elective surgeries postponed, although emergency services would remain operational.

“Doctors, especially women, face a heightened risk of violence due to the nature of their work. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure safety within hospitals and clinics,” the IMA emphasized. They attributed the violence and crimes in healthcare settings to the negligence and insensitivity of authorities towards the safety needs of doctors and healthcare workers.

The IMA’s protest addresses not only the recent murder but also an incident involving a mob that stormed RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the doctor was killed. They criticized the lack of progress in the police investigation since the initial day following the murder, as well as what they referred to as the “shabby handling” of circumstances by the college administration.

In solidarity, thousands of medical professionals and students participated in an indefinite strike on Friday in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, calling for a federal law to ensure better protection for female doctors and nurses.

Dr. Samiksha Bedi from Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal expressed her concern, saying, “We are shaken by what happened. While our hospital has been renovated and we have rest facilities, security should be a priority on every floor. In the past, we often felt unsafe due to aggressive individuals, but now we live in fear of such horrific acts.”

The IMA provided a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding an independent and thorough investigation leading to the arrest of those accountable. They also called for a public inquiry into the working conditions that permitted this tragic event and asked for urgent measures aimed at enhancing the safety of doctors, particularly female healthcare workers, in their workplaces.

In connection with the murder, a man who volunteered at RG Medical College has been arrested. In response, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued directives to medical colleges, mandating the establishment of safety policies covering campuses and hospitals for all personnel, including faculty, medical students, and residents.

The NMC’s advisory stipulates several safety measures, such as implementing adequate security personnel, both male and female, across all clinical and public areas, ensuring well-lit corridors, and installing CCTV systems in critical locations. Furthermore, the commission instructed institutions to conduct thorough investigations of any incidents of violence, ensuring timely police reporting and submission of detailed actions taken to the NMC within 48 hours.

The situation continues to evolve as healthcare professionals demand immediate actions to bolster their safety and safeguard their rights within medical environments. The IMA’s decisive actions reflect a widespread call for change in response to enduring violence against those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.