Doctors’ Body Announces Nationwide Withdrawal of Services
LThe Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 6 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, to 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2024, in response to the brutal rape and murder of a young postgraduate student at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. This tragic incident, which occurred in the early hours of August 9, 2024, has sent shockwaves across the medical fraternity and the nation.
The victim, a postgraduate student of chest medicine, was reportedly attacked while on duty. Her death has ignited widespread outrage, leading to strikes, protests, and candlelight marches across the country. The medical community has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the way the crime was handled by the college authorities and the police, accusing them of a lacklustre approach to the investigation.
On August 13, 2024, the Calcutta High Court intervened, ordering the state police to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court criticised the police for their handling of the investigation, warning of the potential destruction of evidence if the state police continued their probe. Despite this judicial intervention, tensions escalated on August 15, 2024, when a large crowd vandalised the hospital, damaging several sections, including the area where the victim’s body was found. Protesters, including medical students, were also attacked during the chaos.
The IMA has emphasised the vulnerability of doctors, particularly women, to violence due to the nature of their profession. They have called for authorities to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of healthcare workers within hospitals and campuses. The association has condemned both physical assaults and crimes against medical professionals, attributing them to the indifference and insensitivity of the authorities.
In a statement, the IMA declared that all routine outpatient services and elective surgeries will be suspended during the 24-hour protest. However, essential services, including emergency care, will continue to operate. The association has urged the nation to sympathise with the cause of its doctors, stressing the need for systemic changes to protect those who serve on the front lines of healthcare.
