August 16th 2024.
The Indian Medical Association recently made an important announcement regarding the safety of doctors and healthcare workers in the country. In response to the shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the IMA has called for a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services starting from 6am on August 17. This decision was made after considering the recent incident and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.
While the withdrawal will affect non-essential services, the medical body has assured that essential services and casualty wards will still be operational. This move has been supported by doctors from all sectors of modern medicine across the country. The IMA stated that the brutal crime and violence against protesting students on the eve of Independence Day has raised concerns about the safety of doctors, especially women, in the healthcare profession.
The statement further highlighted the vulnerability of doctors to violence due to the nature of their work and called for authorities to take responsibility for their safety within hospitals and campuses. The IMA also expressed disappointment towards the authorities for their indifference and insensitivity towards the needs of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. The decision for a nationwide withdrawal of services was made after a meeting with state branches of the IMA.
The IMA also strongly condemned the vandalism at the Kolkata hospital, which has been a center of protest since August 9. They criticized the authorities for failing to maintain law and order during an important CBI investigation into the case. The vandalism was described as mindless and the IMA expressed concerns about the loss of crucial evidence due to these destructive actions.
According to the Kolkata Police, nearly 40 people disguised as protestors entered the hospital premises and caused damage to property, including the Emergency Ward, nursing station, and medicine store. They also attacked the Out Patients Department and destroyed several CCTV cameras in the area. The police had to resort to using tear gas to disperse the crowd, and some officers were injured in the process.
The case of the trainee doctor's death has been transferred to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court. The IMA's decision to call for a nationwide withdrawal of services is a call for action to ensure the safety of doctors and to condemn the violence and anarchy that has been displayed at the Kolkata hospital. It is a plea for authorities to take responsibility and maintain law and order to prevent such heinous crimes from happening in the future.
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