IMA announces nationwide withdrawal of physician services on August 17
Doctors and students protest at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday (Photo: PTI)
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike by doctors in modern medicine in protest against the brutal rape and murder at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
According to a statement from IMA, the protest will begin on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 6:00 am and end on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 6:00 am.
“Following the brutal crime at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students on the eve of Independence Day, the Indian Medical Association declares nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of Modern Medicine from 6 am on Saturday i.e. 17th August to 6 am on Sunday 18th August for 24 hours. All essential services will be maintained. Casualty facilities will be staffed. Routine outpatient clinics will not function and elective surgeries will not be performed. The withdrawal applies to all sectors where doctors of Modern Medicine render services. IMA requires the sympathy of the nation for the just cause of its doctors,” the statement said.
The incident sparked outrage across the country, with junior doctors and junior doctors refusing to work in protest.
Earlier today, the IMA held an emergency meeting with its state chapters following the mob attack on protesting junior doctors and junior doctors at the RG Kar Medical College on Wednesday.
#WATCH | RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder incident | President of Delhi Medical Association, Dr Alok Bhandari says, “Today we had an emergency meeting… Everyone was angry and very saddened by what happened to one of our sisters and daughters in Kolkata. Delhi… photo.twitter.com/NTe9QYBhnl—ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2024
IMA said in the statement that emergency services will not be disrupted and will remain operational in all hospitals.
“All essential services will be maintained. Victims will be staffed. Routine outpatient clinics will not function and elective surgeries will not be performed. The withdrawal is in all sectors where modern medical doctors provide services,” the IMA said in its statement.
First publication: Aug 16, 2024 | 12:23 AM IST