IMA calls for nationwide strike tomorrow, only emergency services to be operational

New Delhi [India], August 16 (ANI): The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide strike on August 17 (Saturday), with General Secretary Anil Kumar J Nayak stating that all members will participate, while only emergency services will remain operational in response to nationwide outrage over the rape and murder of a second-year trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

On call for a nationwide doctors’ strike on Aug 17, General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, Anil Kumar J Nayak said, “All IMA members will observe strike tomorrow, only Emergency & Casualty services will be available. Three days ago, we spoke to Union Health Minister JP Nadda (on the law to curb attacks against doctors), and he was very positive. NMC also has issued circulars over the security and management of CCTV cameras. We say that we will do duty if there is security. Today, there are over 60% women doctors”

He further mentioned, “We met the victim’s family, who were treated poorly by the hospital administration. We urge the National Commission for Women to visit Kolkata. Although we haven’t been able to meet the Chief Minister, we’ve presented our demands, which include safety and security for women. All junior and resident doctors across the country are on strike. This is a crucial moment for unity; it’s a do-or-die situation.”

A nationwide withdrawal of services has been announced by doctors of modern medicine starting from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18, per the official statement released by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday.

Notably, the strike has been called by IMA amid the ongoing protest in Kolkata over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

In its official statement, IMA stated that routine OPDs and elective surgeries will not take place during those 24 hours; however, other essential services will be maintained.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which led to nationwide strikes and protests by the medical fraternity.

The incident triggered massive protests. On Wednesday, the protest ground and the hospital campus at RG Kar were vandalised by a mob, forcing the security personnel to disperse the crowd.