Kolkata doctor’s murder case: Delhi AIIMS doctors to stage OPD protest outside health ministry today
PTC News Desk: The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has announced an extension of their strike in response to the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Despite the ongoing strike, emergency services and ICUs will remain operational.
In a new development, the doctors will be providing elective outpatient department (OPD) services outside Nirman Bhawan, which houses the Health Ministry, as part of their protest. This initiative is set to begin at 11 am on Monday.
PRESS RELEASE
RDA AIIMS
NEW DELHI @MoHFW_INDIA @HMOIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/3fapcuShFk— RDAAIIMS DELHI (@AIIMSRDA) August 18, 2024
The AIIMS RDA stated that resident doctors will offer elective OPD services in approximately 36 specialties, including medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and others outside Nirman Bhawan. This move is intended to underline their commitment to patient care and adherence to their Hippocratic oath.
The association emphasized that their protest aims to draw attention to the inadequate security for healthcare professionals across the country. They are urging the government to implement an urgent central ordinance to enhance the safety and security of healthcare workers and institutions. The RDA has requested that authorities facilitate the necessary arrangements for the provision of outpatient services at their protest site.
Since August 12, the resident doctors of AIIMS have been on an indefinite strike, suspending all elective and non-essential services, including OPDs and ward operations.
On Sunday, the RDA sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to enact a central law through an ordinance to safeguard healthcare workers and institutions. In their letter, they likened hospitals to sacred spaces where healing and hope are nurtured and earnestly requested the Prime Minister’s support in ensuring their protection.
The letter highlighted the precarious nature of medical work, which often involves life-and-death situations, leaving doctors particularly vulnerable.
Background on the Kolkata Incident
The tragic case prompting the strike involved the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The crime occurred in a seminar hall on the third floor of the chest department late at night. Police reported that the victim had sustained multiple lacerations and wounds.
Sanjoy Roy, the primary suspect in the case, has been arrested. However, authorities have not yet ruled out the possibility of other individuals being involved in the crime. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests within the medical community and beyond.
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