The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a 24-hour nationwide strike and the withholding of non-emergency medical services beginning today in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata.
The strike began at 6 a.m. on August 17 and will prevent access to elective medical treatments and outpatient consultations.
Casualty departments at hospitals will continue to be staffed.
On August 9, a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered inside the medical college in Kolkata where she worked, sparking widespread protests among doctors.
Anger at the failure of tough laws to deter a rising tide of violence against women has fuelled protests by doctors and women’s groups.
“Women form the majority of our profession in this country. Time and again, we have asked for safety for them,” IMA President R. V. Asokan told Reuters
In its statement, the IMA has put forth a list of demands to ensure that security protocols of hospitals “be no less than (that of) an airport” and they should be declared as safe zones with CCTVs and higher deployment of security personnel.
The Central bureau of investigation (CBI) took over the case from Kolkata police on August 13.
While addressing the nation on the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is outrage in the society over atrocities against women and state governments must take this seriously.
Without mentioning the recent incident of alleged rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, PM Modi said, “Cases of crime against women should be investigated and those responsible should be punished without delay.”
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