IMA Announces Strike Protesting Kolkata Doctor’s Rape and Murder
Kolkata Doctor’s Rape and Murder Case: After the rape and murder in Kolkata, and an attack on the protest, hospital services will remain closed on Saturday except for emergency care.
The strike declared by the doctors is a protest against the rape and murder of the female doctor, and her fellow team of doctors has announced a nationwide strike. After the incident, doctors initially began a strike on Monday, which affected only some hospitals, government hospitals, and elective surgeries. But now, the Indian Medical Association has declared a nationwide strike for 24 hours, which will cause the biggest disruption in medical services. All services in government and private hospitals will be shut down on Saturday, except for emergency care.
Dr. Johnrose Jayalal, the president of the Indian Medical Association, said that this is the largest reaction and public outrage seen so far. The public is extremely angry, which ultimately led to the declaration of the strike. More than 50% of doctors in India are women, and 90% of the nursing staff are also women. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure their safety by declaring hospitals as protected zones, similar to how airports and courts are secured.
Jayalal also mentioned that concerns about the safety of female doctors are increasing day by day, as in most cases, when a patient dies, their relatives blame the doctor. In many instances, doctors have even been assaulted after a patient’s death.
The incident last week, where a 31-year-old doctor was raped and murdered, occurred in a seminar room at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. She had gone there to rest during her night shift due to stress. An informal hospital staff member has been arrested and a criminal case has been filed regarding the incident.
Although the incident took place in Kolkata, today the entire country is mourning and standing together in protest. The team of doctors has decided to halt services nationwide for 24 hours, demanding the government take action for the safety of doctors.
Amid discussions about this incident, another case has been filed on August 8th in Uttarakhand, where a nurse was raped and murdered while on her way home.
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The principal of RG Kar Medical College, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, instead of expressing sorrow, has raised questions about why the victim doctor went to rest alone in the seminar room at night, especially when she was supposed to go to another hospital after her resignation.
Politicians started pointing fingers at each other. When West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced criticism from opposing parties for not ensuring women’s safety, she responded by asking, “What about the sexual violence happening in your state?”
