IMA Announces Nationwide Strike on August 17 Over Doctor’s Tragic Death

IMA Announces Nationwide Strike on August 17 Over Doctor's Tragic Death

Ashiq Butt | August 16, 2024 | 10:15 PM IST | India, Kolkata | Follow on Google News

IMA Announces Nationwide Strike on August 17 Over Doctor’s Tragic Death

IMA Announces Nationwide Strike on August 17 Over Doctor’s Tragic Death

Key Highlights:

• IMA calls for a nationwide doctors’ strike on August 17 following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor.
• Only emergency services will remain operational during the strike, affecting routine OPDs and elective surgeries.
• IMA demands enhanced security for medical professionals and condemns the hospital’s handling of the victim’s family.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a nationwide doctors’ strike on August 17 in response to the recent rape and murder of a second-year trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The tragic incident has ignited widespread outrage within the medical community.

Anil Kumar J Nayak, General Secretary of the IMA, announced that all members of the association would participate in the strike, while only emergency and casualty services will remain operational. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries will be suspended for 24 hours, beginning at 6 am on Saturday and concluding at 6 am on Sunday.

Nayak revealed that three days ago, the IMA had engaged in discussions with Union Health Minister JP Nadda about implementing stronger laws to protect doctors from violence. Despite positive feedback from the minister, the IMA insists on concrete action.

Nayak emphasized that doctors would continue to fulfill their duties only if their safety is guaranteed, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of women doctors, who now make up over 60% of the workforce.

The IMA also condemned the poor treatment of the victim’s family by the hospital administration and urged the National Commission for Women to visit Kolkata to address the issue.

Although they have not met with the Chief Minister, the association has presented demands for improved safety measures for medical professionals.

The strike comes amid ongoing protests in Kolkata, where a mob recently vandalized the hospital campus, further escalating tensions. The IMA’s decision underscores the urgent need for security reforms to protect those in the medical profession.

Ashiq Butt

Ashiq Butt – is VoM News's senior staffer worked since year 2015 and he deals with correspondency and social media handles. Hailing from Doda's Marmat, Ashiq has strong grip over the collection of the data and it's compiling feature.