AIIMS cites code of conduct, Doctors refuse to back down from strike

New Delhi: Even after the AIIMS New Delhi and JIPMER warned resident doctors to stop protesting citing the code of conduct, doctors of all AIIMS in the country refused to back down from the strike strongly protesting against the recent brutal rape-murder of a second-year postgraduate student at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

Resident doctors from various AIIMS locations, including Bhopal, New Delhi, Patna, Raebareli, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, and Kalyani, are currently on strike. They have taken to the streets, carrying placards and chanting slogans to demand justice for the lady doctor. 

They called for an indefinite strike to protest against the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor, whose semi-naked body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Medical Dialogues recently reported that a preliminary autopsy report indicated sexual abuse before she was killed. As per the inquest report, there was bleeding from the doctor's eyes and mouth, injury on the face and nails, bleeding from her genitals, and several other injury marks on different parts of her body. After this doctors across the country started a massive protest demanding justice for their colleague's rape and murder.

The protesters remain resolute in their commitment to continue their demonstration until the government implements appropriate actions. They refuse to back down from their strike, even in the face of warnings from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), which cited court orders and the code of conduct.

More than 3 lakh resident doctors across the country are currently on strike, causing major disruptions to medical services nationwide. The doctors are demanding not only justice but also for the authorities to address safety concerns at the workplace.

AIIMS Delhi

Doctors and medical students held a protest at AIIMS Delhi after the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) called for a nationwide shutdown of OPD services from Tuesday in solidarity against the sexual assault and murder of a woman post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Indra Shekhar Prasad, President, Resident Doctors Association AIIMS Delhi, said " This is such a serious incident. A woman who was on duty was sexually assaulted and murdered brutally...if such incidents happen at workplaces, how will the women work?...we want a CBI probe into this, till then we will continue our protest..."

He further said that regarding the safety of the doctors, until there is no written assurance on the timeline of the Central Protection Act, the strike would continue.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Medical students and doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneswar, along with those from MKCG Medical College and Hospital, are demonstrating in response to the incident by vocally demanding 'Justice,' accompanied by several doctors applauding as a form of protest. Previously, they organized a silent rally in protest against the incident by wearing black badges so that patients would not suffer. 

AIIMS Bhopal

Doctors at AIIMS Bhopal, along with junior doctors from government medical colleges in the city, decided to go on strike from today halting outpatient department (OPD) services while still offering emergency medical services to the patients. 

"This horrific incident has shocked and devastated the entire medical fraternity. The circumstances surrounding this incident are profoundly troubling and have sent shockwaves not only to the medical fraternity but the broader society as well as highlighting an urgent need for us to stand together in support of the affected residents and to demand justice. In light of this tragedy and in solidarity with our colleagues, we support the nationwide indefinite suspension of elective services (OPDs, Elective OTs, Ward duties and Lab Services) and classes Starting Tuesday, 13th August. However, the Emergency Services will continue as usual," said a statement released by the Students Association AIIMS Bhopal.

"We are closely monitoring the current situation and the ongoing agitation in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal. Students Association AIIMS Bhopal extends its full support to our fellow residents in West Bengal who are participating in this expression of solidarity, demanding an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into this heinous crime," the statement added. 

AIIMS Kalyani

The slogan "We seek justice. We require answers" echoed in the video as doctors from AIIMS Kalyani are protesting in response to the incident.

AIIMS Raebareli

Several doctors from the institute held a demonstration, sitting with placards that conveyed messages like 'Violence against doctors is violence against humanity,' 'Enough is enough, stop rape,' and 'Let doctors heal, not face violence.'

AIIMS Jodhpur

In addition, doctors and associations like the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA), Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), and United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA) announced an indefinite strike, halting all elective services. the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) are protesting against the incident demanding justice and also suspending all elective medical services across the country. 

Also read- Disciplinary Action, No pay: AIIMS, JIPMER Warn Doctors on strike