Doctors across India will strike from 6 am on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday in response to recent violence against medical staff. During the 24-hour strike, outpatient departments (OPDs) and regular surgeries will be closed in hospitals, including corporate hospitals and small private facilities. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for hospitals to be declared safe zones with security measures similar to those at airports.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed his concerns, stating, “The safety of medical staff is a significant issue following the recent incident in West Bengal. This concern extends beyond the medical community to the entire nation. It is a security and social issue that affects everyone, and the general public shares this anger.”
Dr. Monica Singh from the Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad, has submitted a letter petition to the Chief Justice of India regarding the rape of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. Her advocate, Satyam Singh, noted that Dr. Singh is requesting the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to ensure the safety of doctors and protect the crime scene until the case concludes. She has also raised concerns about threats and evidence tampering, urging the Supreme Court to intervene.