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Despite the end of a 24-hour strike called by India’s largest doctors’ association, some junior doctors remained off duty on Sunday. They continue to demand swift justice for a colleague who was assaulted and killed, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for medical professionals in India.
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The incident, involving a 31-year-old postgraduate student of chest medicine, occurred in the early hours of August 9 at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This tragic event has sparked nationwide protests, with doctors holding candlelight marches and refusing to see non-emergency patients over the past week.
Women’s rights activists point out that this incident underscores the persistent issue of violence against women in India, despite the implementation of stricter laws following the 2012 Delhi bus attack.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) ended its strike at 6 am on Sunday but appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention. They emphasized the need for enhanced security measures for hospital staff, noting that 60% of India’s doctors are women.
In Gujarat, over 6,000 trainee doctors in government hospitals continued their protest for a third day, abstaining from non-emergency services. Dr. Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors’ Association at B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, stated their commitment to continuing the protest until their demands are met.
The government has urged doctors to return to duty, citing rising cases of dengue and malaria. They have also promised to form a committee to suggest improvements in healthcare professional protection.
While most doctors have resumed their regular activities according to IMA officials, the All India Residents and Junior Doctors’ Joint Action Forum announced a continuation of their “nationwide cease-work” with a 72-hour deadline for authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry and make arrests.
The situation at R.G. Kar Hospital remains tense, with ongoing agitation and rallies. In response, Kolkata Police has banned assemblies of five or more people around the hospital for a week, deploying riot police to maintain order.
This protest highlights the broader issues of workplace safety for medical professionals and the ongoing struggle to ensure women’s safety in India. As the medical community and authorities work towards a resolution, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing healthcare workers and the need for comprehensive safety measures in medical institutions across the country.
