Doctors' strike cripple hospital services, IMA calls for PM Modi's intervention | 10 points

Protests and candle marches held across India, with OPDs and elective surgeries shut down on Saturday. IMA urges PM Modi to enact central law.

Updated on: Aug 18, 2024, 11:55:03 IST

By HT News Desk

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OPD services were disrupted nationwide as doctors joined the 24-hour strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in protest of the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on August 9. The strike also condemned the vandalism at the hospital on August 14.

A general view of deserted Outpatient Department (OPD) in a private hospital during 24 hours nationwide strike by doctors and other medical professionals. (Photo by Samir Jana/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

Doctors from states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and others participated, with OPDs and elective surgeries shut down in both private and public hospitals, while only emergency services remained operational.

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Kolkata doctors' protest Top 10 updates

1. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in securing five key demands, including a central law to protect healthcare workers and declaring hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security measures.

2. Kolkata Police have restricted public gatherings around RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for seven days, starting August 18, to maintain order during ongoing protests.

3. Doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, organized a candlelight march on Saturday, demanding justice for the victim and strict punishment for those responsible.

ALSO READ- 'Send law and order reports every 2 hrs': Centre to states amid Kolkata protests

4. In Odisha, the Nursing Employees Association held a candle march at Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College, with nurses and doctors protesting the incident.

5. Theatre artists in West Bengal joined the protests by staging a midnight march on Saturday to express their outrage over the crime.

6. Similar protests took place in Maharashtra and at AIIMS Mangalagiri, where junior doctors and medical students voiced their anger over the incident.

7. The Union health ministry announced plans to form a committee that includes state representatives to suggest safety measures for healthcare workers. The ministry urged doctors to resume their duties, especially considering the rising number of dengue and malaria cases.

8. The IMA is reviewing the health ministry's statement but expressed skepticism, noting that similar committees in the past have not led to significant progress or legislation.

9. Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, was questioned by the CBI for the second consecutive day on Saturday as part of the ongoing investigation.

ALSO READ- Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government introduces new safety measures for women

10. Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chief advisor to the West Bengal chief minister, launched the "Rattirer Shaathi" programme, a set of new measures to ensure the safety of women working night shifts in hospitals.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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