TAMOA and medical bodies shut OPDs, surgeries, and diagnostics across Manipur, demanding justice and safety after violence at RIMS, Imphal.
BY PC Bureau
September 23 — A large-scale doctors’ strike across Manipur on Monday left hundreds of patients without access to essential healthcare services, following the violent assault of a senior doctor at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.
The Teachers’ and Medical Officers’ Association (TAMOA), RIMS spearheaded the strike, shutting down all major services — including the Outpatient Department (OPD), emergency care, routine operations (OT), and Periodic Medical Examination (PME). The association announced that the strike would continue until the perpetrators of Sunday’s assault are identified, arrested, and punished, and until authorities guarantee a secure working environment for healthcare professionals.
TAMOA clarified that doctors will continue to diagnose and treat patients already admitted to the hospital, but new OPD and emergency consultations will remain suspended. The association has also resolved to file an FIR and pursue legal action against those responsible for the attack.
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The strike has received wide support from the medical fraternity. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Manipur State Branch, Association for Health Care Providers of India (AHPI), Manipur chapter, and the Imphal Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (IOGS) joined the protest, announcing a 24-hour suspension of routine OPDs, elective surgeries, and diagnostic services across private hospitals, government facilities, and individual clinics. The statewide shutdown of services began at 6 am on September 23 and will continue until 6 am on September 24.
The escalation follows reports that relatives of two deceased patients physically assaulted a senior doctor and vandalized property at RIMS on Sunday. The incident triggered chaos within the hospital premises and drew sharp condemnation from the medical community.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations, including the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) and the World Meetei Organisation (WMO) Women Wing, issued separate statements condemning alleged medical negligence at RIMS. These groups claimed that at least five preventable deaths occurred in recent days due to lapses in care and demanded accountability and transparency from hospital authorities.
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The organisations further urged the Manipur Medical Council (MMC) to form an independent inquiry committee and publish its findings within a fixed timeline. They also called on the MMC, State Government, and RIMS authorities to take strict disciplinary measures, including suspension of medical licenses and criminal prosecution, against any doctors, administrators, or senior officials found guilty of negligence or misconduct.
The dual crisis — medical professionals demanding safety and justice, and civil society groups pressing for accountability — has created unprecedented pressure on the state’s healthcare system, leaving patients caught in the middle of a deepening conflict between the medical fraternity and the public.
