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The outpatient department services were non-functional, and elective surgeries were not performed. However, emergency services continued without interruption at hospitals, including the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in ChandigarhOn Saturday, doctors in Haryana and Chandigarh protested against the rape and murder of a female doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata. They called for enhanced safety measures for healthcare professionals in their workplaces.
The protesting doctors stated that while outpatient department services and elective surgeries were halted, emergency services remained unaffected.The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services for 24 hours, starting from 6 a.m. on Saturday. This protest is in response to the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, as well as the subsequent vandalism at the facility.
Meanwhile, the protest by resident doctors at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh continued into its sixth day on Saturday. Outpatient department (OPD) services for both new and existing patients remained closed, but emergency and critical care services were maintained.The Faculty Association of PGIMER, Chandigarh, has expressed its support for the strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
OPD services at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital Sector 16, and Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh were also significantly curtailed. At GMCH-32 the faculty welfare body participated in a pen-down strike in the OPD from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. as a show of solidarity.
Meanwhile patients continued to suffer Many traveling from neighboring Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir had to return without seeing their doctors because they were unaware of the strike.
The OPDs at Fortis Hospital, Phase 8, and Max Hospital, Phase 6, in Mohali were also suspended on Saturday. Medical professionals held sit-ins at various locations in Patiala, Amritsar, and Ludhiana, calling for justice for the victim and improved safety for doctors, as stated by IMA Punjab unit adviser Navjot Dahiya.
Doctors Protest Across Punjab and Haryana Over Kolkata Tragedy
Healthcare professionals across Punjab and Haryana protested, demanding better workplace safety following the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at a Kolkata hospital. Outpatient services were disrupted, but emergency services continued unaffected. The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide 24-hour withdrawal of non-emergency services.
Doctors across Punjab and Haryana staged protests on Saturday, calling for improved workplace safety following the alleged rape and murder of a trainee female doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata.According to the protesting doctors, outpatient department services were halted and elective surgeries postponed, although emergency services continued unaffected.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a nationwide call for the withdrawal of non-emergency services for 24 hours, starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, to protest the incidents at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.Meanwhile, resident doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh extended their protest into its sixth day.
While OPD services were halted, emergency and critical care services continued without interruption .The Faculty Association of PGIMER, Chandigarh, has expressed support for the IMA’s strike call. IMA’s Punjab Unit advisor, Navjot Dahiya, confirmed that doctors were protesting in response to the deplorable crime in Kolkata.
Medical professionals organized sit-ins across Patiala, Amritsar, and Ludhiana, demanding justice for the victim and enhanced safety measures for doctors. A protesting doctor in Amritsar questioned the safety of medical staff within hospital premises, calling for hospitals to be designated as safe zones with improved security arrangements.
Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder Case Live Updates IMA Nationwide Strike Live, August 17
The 24-hour nationwide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in protest against the rape and murder of a woman doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital began at 6 a.m. this morning and will continue until 6 a.m. on Sunday (August 18). Meanwhile, following a meeting with the IMA and other doctors’ associations, the union health ministry announced its decision to form a committee to suggest measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals across the country.
What stays open/what’s closed in IMA’s nationwide strike :
The strike involves a 24-hour withdrawal of non-emergency health services starting from 6 a.m. today and continuing until 6 a.m. tomorrow. Routine OPDs will be closed and elective surgeries will not be conducted. This withdrawal applies across all sectors where doctors practicing modern medicine provide services according to the IMA. However essential services will be maintained and casualties will be attended to as stated by the organization.
Describing the strike as a “movement for safety ” IMA National President Dr. Asokan highlighted the overwhelming response from doctors nationwide in standing “united against the injustice. He also mentioned that the medical body will write to the Prime Minister expecting a government response on this critical issue concerning the safety of women.
What is the status of the probe :
A CBI team is investigating the case after it was transferred from the Kolkata Police by the Calcutta High Court on August 13. So far, it has been revealed that the wife of Sanjay Roy, the man accused of raping and killing the doctor, had filed a complaint at Khalighat police station alleging that he had assaulted her.
On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a rally and accused certain groups of trying to obscure the truth by spreading fake news on social media. She claimed that the CPI(M) and BJP vandalized RG Kar Hospital to destroy evidence of the crime and criticized these parties for misleading the public. She called for the exposure of the alleged nexus between the Left and the BJP and led a march demanding the death penalty for the main accused.
BJP MP Sambit Patra on Kolkata tragedy
Regarding the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital BJP MP Sambit Patra stated ,I stand in solidarity with my doctor community and friends. The barbarism that occurred in Bengal is being covered up by the Chief Minister herself. Why have 40-50 doctors been transferred in a hurry? What is the CM trying to hide? After holding the roles of Chief Minister, Health Minister, and Home Minister, she now dares to protest with placards. Who is she seeking justice and protection from? Who did Sandip Ghosh (former Principal of RG Kar) work for? The victim’s parents were initially told she had committed suicide.
The police are now searching for those sending notices and threatening people who post about the case on social media.I thank the lawyers representing the case at the Calcutta High Court” said BJP MP Sambit Patra. “They have raised pertinent questions and I have seen that the judges were frustrated and took action against the West Bengal government.” They have upheld the justice of the country.