IMA's Nationwide Strike Over Kolkata Doctor's Rape and Murder, OPDs will not function For 24 hrs

IMA Nationwide Strike Over Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder News: Following the brutal crime in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students on the eve of Independence Day 2024, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 6 am on Saturday i.e August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18, for 24 hours.

In the meantime, all essential services will be maintained while the casualties will be manned. However, the routine OPDs will not function and elective surgeries will not be conducted. The withdrawal is across all sectors, where modern medicine doctors provide services. IMA requires the nation's sympathy with the just cause of its doctors, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated.

In a press release issued, IMIA stated, "A young postgraduate of chest medicine was brutally raped and killed on duty in R G Kar Medica College, Kolkata in the early hours of 9th August 2024. This has shocked the medical fraternity and the nation alike. Ever since the Resident doctors have been on strike. Protests as well as candle marches have been held across the country by IMA as well."

"The college authorities handled the crime situation shabbily and the police investigations stalled after the first day," it added.

"On 13th August 2024, the Calcutta High Court asked the state police to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while expressing discontent with the investigation so far. They also flagged the possibility of destruction of evidence if the state police continued with their investigation. On 15th August 2024, the hospital was vandalized by a large crowd which destroyed various sections of the hospital including the area where the victim was found. The medical students who were on the protest were attacked as well," the letter release stated.

"Doctors especially women are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession. It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses. Both physical assaults and crimes are a result of indifference and insensitivity of the concerned authorities to the needs of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers," the IMA said.

"Subsequent to the brutal crime in R G Kar Medical College Kolkata and the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students on the eve of the Independence Day, Indian Medical Association declares nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 6 am on Saturday 17.08.2024 to 6 am Sunday 18.08.2024 for 24 hours. All essential services will be maintained. Casualties will be manned. Routine OPDs will not function and elective surgeries will not be conducted. The withdrawal is across all sectors, where modern medicine doctors provide services. IMA requires the sympathy of the nation with the just cause of its doctors," the IMA concluded.

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