Nationwide strike of doctors begin
Doctors in India have begun a national strike, escalating the protest against the rape and murder of a female colleague in the West Bengal city of Kolkata. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s largest grouping of doctors, said all non-essential hospital services would be shut down across the country on Saturday.
The IMA described last week’s killing as a “crime of barbaric scale due to the lack of safe spaces for women” and asked for the country’s support in its “struggle for justice”.
Also read: Doctors hold nationwide protest over Kolkata doctor rape-murder
Emergency and casualty services would continue to operate
According to a statement from the IMA, emergency and casualty services would continue to operate during the 24-hour strike.
Earlier this week, doctors at some government hospitals stated that elective surgeries would be suspended indefinitely.
The IMA also presented a list of requests, which included tightening the law to better protect medical professionals from violence, enhancing hospital security, and creating secure rest areas. It demanded a “meticulous and professional investigation” into the killing, the prosecution of those responsible for the vandalism, and compensation for the woman’s family.
Also read: ‘Absolute failure of state machinery’: Calcutta HC slams Mamata government over RG Kar violence
The rape of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor has outraged the nation. Her half-naked body with serious injuries was discovered in a seminar hall at R G Kar Medical College last Thursday, where she was said to have gone to rest during her shift.
A volunteer from the hospital has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Following criticism of the case’s slow development, it was transferred from local police to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
