In response to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, resident doctors from AIIMS and other Delhi hospitals are staging a unique protest. Starting Monday, August 19, they will offer outpatient services on the road outside Nirman Bhawan, Delhi, where the Union Health Ministry office is located.
Protest Details: The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) announced that resident doctors will halt all academic activities, elective OPDs, ward and OT services, ICUs, emergency procedures, and emergency OT. However, they will provide elective OPD services outside the Health Ministry office while continuing emergency services as usual.
Purpose: The protest aims to draw attention to the lack of security for healthcare professionals and to urge the government to enact a central ordinance to ensure their safety and security.
Previous Strike: A 24-hour nationwide strike by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) ended on Sunday at 6 AM. Despite the end of the strike, doctors remain committed to seeking justice for the 31-year-old victim and demanding reforms to improve working and living conditions for resident doctors.
Demands: The doctors are calling for urgent reforms, including a central law to protect healthcare professionals from workplace violence.
The RDA’s action highlights the ongoing concern over the safety of medical staff and the need for systemic changes in response to recent violent incidents in the healthcare sector.