The Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a nationwide withdrawal of non-essential medical services from 6 am on Saturday, August 17, to 6 am on Sunday, August 18, in response to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The IMA clarified that essential services, including emergency care, will continue, and casualties will be attended to, but routine outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries will be suspended.
The protest extends to all sectors where modern medicine practitioners provide services. The IMA emphasized that this action seeks national sympathy for the doctors’ cause.
In a related development, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) decided on Thursday to resume its strike following the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital by unidentified individuals.
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The organisation in a statement said, “In light of the recent troubling events at RG Kar Medical College, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) addresses our colleagues, the medical community, and the public with renewed resolve.”
It added, “We acknowledge that our earlier decision to call off the strike, made in good faith based on assurances from the Ministry, has caused distress and disappointment within our community. We accept responsibility for this and understand the widespread discontent it has caused.”
This decision comes just two days after FORDA had initially called off its strike. The group expressed its shock and distress over the incident, which occurred during ongoing midnight protests by women against the heinous crime.
The vandalism happened in the early hours of Thursday at the state-run hospital, where the body of the female doctor was discovered last week.
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