Kolkata rape-murder case: Himachal Pradesh Medical Officer Association joins doctor strike

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India] August 17 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Medical Doctors Association (HMOA) on Saturday joined the national call for justice for the rape and murder victim in West Bengal, expressing solidarity with the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) call to shut down services.

Dr Vikas Thakur, General Secretary of HMOA, said that the association is supporting the IMA’s call for a day-long token protest, with further actions to be decided by the IMA and other associations.

“We have called a day-long token protest, the IMA and other associations will decide further. We are demanding the implementation of the safety and security of the doctors. We are demanding justice.” Dr Vikas Thakur said.

Dr. Thakur emphasized the necessity of implementing a non-bailable offence act with a minimum imprisonment term for any abuse against doctors.

“The Act for doctors needs to be implemented soon,” he said.

He further highlighted that medical associations and people across the country are backing the strike, with the HMOA fully supporting it.

Dr. Thakur urged the state government to implement the Doctor’s Protection Act, noting the challenging working conditions faced by doctors in Himachal Pradesh.

“Doctors are forced to work for 36 hours in Himachal, and they are working overtime. The doctors are not feeling safe in Himachal Pradesh either. Doctors are being transferred in bulk, and there is a shortage of staff,” he said

Dr. Thakur also pointed out that under the state government’s health secretary, the movement and voice of the doctors are being suppressed, and the Chief Minister is being misled. He mentioned that despite previous assurances from the Chief Minister, no progress has been made on the promotion of posts or other demands.

“The doctors’ norms for Post Graduate have also been amended. We had old demands and the Chief Minister had assured us, but no posts have been promoted. Various promotional schemes for the doctors have been closed. All states are providing such schemes; the NPA amount is also lower than the national level. The powers of the doctors have been snatched in Himachal Pradesh.”

He also recalled the earlier strike called off on March 13 after 56 days, where the doctors were promised the formation of a committee to address their concerns, but no action has been taken.

“On the contrary, our leaders are being transferred, and we are being enforced. They are taking steps to suppress our demands,” Dr Thakur said.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was 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. (ANI)