PG medico Rape-Murder Case: IMA announces 24-hour nationwide strike on August 17

New Delhi: In response to the recent violent mob attack at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata during a peaceful protest on Thursday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors for 24 hours from 6:00 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6:00 am on Sunday, August 18. 

The IMA announced that routine OPDs and elective surgeries will be suspended during those 24 hours; however, other essential services will be maintained.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the IMA stated, "After 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 the sectors wherever modern medicine doctors are providing service. IMA requires the sympathy of the nation with the just cause of its doctors," the release stated.

Also read- Kolkata Doctor rape-murder case: What was the mob attack at RG Kar hospital all about?

Regarding the strike, R V Ashokan President of IMA said, "It might appear as an emotional knee-jerk reaction! But it's not so this time. It's the initial preparation and assessment of our strengths and weaknesses and will gear up for the protracted action to follow until we achieve our goals."

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) also announced a protest against the incident at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on August 16.

"To voice our protest against these acts, we (BMC MARD, IMA, IMA JDN, ASMI) are organising a peaceful protest at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on 16th August 2024 at 1 pm. We urge our fellow medical colleagues, doctors, medical students, resident doctors, senior doctors and other associations to join us in this protest against the injustice," MARD stated in a press release.

Resident doctors from several medical institutions across the nation and associations like FAIMA, Central MARD, BMC MARD and many more have also decided to join the strike announced by IMA on August 17 in solidarity with their colleagues in West Bengal and to demand a central Central Protection act for healthcare workers. 

Previously, the IMA condemned the vandalism at the state-run medical college in Kolkata where doctors have been protesting the alleged rape and murder of the lady doctor and an emergency meeting with its state branches was called to decide on the future course of action.

It said the authorities have once again failed to maintain law and order when an all-important CBI investigation into the trainee woman doctor’s alleged rape and murder is underway.

On August 16, doctors under the leadership of the national organization National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) India also protested against the brutal rape and murder of a lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital by wearing black ribbons during duty hours and also throughout the day raising their voices against the incident. 

Also read- Kolkata Doctor Rape Case: IMA Chief meets JP Nadda, calls for central law on doctor safety