India, August 17 — The medical sector across India came to a standstill on Friday as doctors and medical students nationwide participated in widespread protests, demanding better safety measures and justice for a colleague tragically murdered. The protests, which followed the rape-and-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, have significantly disrupted hospital services, including outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries.
Nationwide Protests and Strikes
In Hyderabad, thousands of doctors took to the streets under the rallying cry of “No safety, no duty.” Junior doctors from Osmania Medical College and Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences led peaceful rallies and boycotted their OPD duties, voicing their concerns over safety and security in medical institutions.
Mumbai also saw solidarity from the academic community. Students from IIT-Bombay organized a vigil march titled ‘IIT-B for Justice,’ while medical students, interns, and resident doctors from KJ Somaiya Medical College participated in a candlelight march. The city’s medical community joined in the broader protest, echoing calls for justice and better protection for healthcare professionals.
In Gujarat, protests were no less significant. Junior doctors staged a strike across medical colleges in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and other cities. The demonstrations, which included chants and slogans demanding justice for the victim and stricter laws for the protection of doctors, led to the suspension of OPD services and elective procedures. Faculty and senior doctors were pressed into service, but the impact on regular hospital functions was profound.
Impact on Healthcare Services
The strike extended to Madhya Pradesh, where approximately 3,000 doctors went on strike at major hospitals and medical colleges. At AIIMS-Bhopal, both senior and junior residents, along with MBBS students, boycotted OPD services, ward duties, and elective surgeries. The disruption was mirrored in neighboring Chhattisgarh, where doctors also joined in the protests.
In Patna, the impact was particularly severe. Emergency services at Patna Medical College and Hospital, a key government facility with a significant patient load from across the state, were disrupted for 12 hours, from 7 am onwards. The interruption in emergency services added to the already mounting strain on the healthcare system in the region.
Goa was not left out of the nationwide unrest. Resident doctors at Goa Medical College participated in the protests, leading to the suspension of OPD services and routine surgeries from Friday afternoon.
Bengaluru saw a convergence of medical professionals and students in their protests. Around 400 interns, doctors, and parents of medical students from Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Gosha Hospital, and Charaka Hospital took part in a candlelight march through the city’s central business district. Their participation highlighted the widespread nature of the protests and the unified demand for safer working conditions.
Underlying Issues and Demands
The protests have brought to light serious concerns about the safety and security of medical professionals in India. The tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has galvanized the medical community to demand systemic changes to ensure their safety while performing their duties.
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Doctors and medical students are calling for stringent laws and enhanced security measures to protect healthcare professionals from violence and abuse. The widespread nature of the protests indicates a deep-seated frustration with the current state of safety and security in medical institutions across the country.
The medical community’s demand for justice and improved safety measures reflects broader issues within the healthcare system, where incidents of violence against doctors and healthcare workers have been reported with increasing frequency. The ongoing protests underscore the urgent need for reforms to address these challenges and safeguard the individuals dedicated to providing essential medical care.
As the protests continue, the impact on healthcare services remains a critical concern, with significant disruptions affecting patient care across the country. The situation calls for immediate attention from policymakers and stakeholders to address the underlying issues and restore normalcy in the healthcare system.
The nationwide protests by doctors and medical students highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and justice for healthcare professionals. As the medical community rallies for change, the ongoing disruption to healthcare services underscores the critical nature of these demands and the need for a comprehensive response from authorities.
