In response to the recent tragic rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike today. Hospitals across the country have shut down their non-emergency services as part of the protest, with the IMA making five key demands to address the growing concerns over the safety and security of healthcare professionals.
The IMA released a list of five requests on Friday, which included a comprehensive reorganization of resident physicians' living and working environments and the creation of a national law to prevent workplace violence against medical professionals.
The five demands of IMA are:
- About the 36-hour shift that the RG Kar hospital victim was working and the absence of designated rest areas, the IMA called for an in-depth evaluation of the living and working circumstances of resident doctors.
- The IMA pushed for a central act incorporating the amendments made in 2023 to the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the proposed Hospital Protection Bill of 2019. This move, it believes, would strengthen the existing legislation in 25 states. The IMA has also suggested that an ordinance similar to the one enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic would be appropriate in this situation.
- The doctors' body demanded that, in addition to identifying individuals responsible for the destruction of the RG Kar hospital premises on August 14 and imposing exemplary punishment, a thorough and professional investigation of the incident be conducted within a specified time limit.
- Additionally, it was stated that all hospitals should follow the same security procedures as airports. Step one is to designate hospitals as safe areas with required security access. According to the IMA, protocols can be followed, CCTV cameras can be used, and security officers can be deployed.
- The association sought an appropriate and dignified compensation to the bereaved family commensurate with the cruelty inflicted.
In the meantime, the Kolkata Police stated that they had detained 25 individuals about the August 14 mob-caused damage to the RG Kar Hospital campus, which included damage to vehicles, public property, and the protest site.
