Nationwide Doctor Strike Protests Kolkata Tragedy

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services from 6 am on August 17 to 6 am on August 18, 2024, in response to the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. During this strike, routine outpatient services and elective surgeries will be suspended, but essential services and emergency care will remain operational. The IMA condemned both the brutal crime and the vandalism that occurred during protests at the hospital, emphasizing the need for better safety measures for healthcare workers. While junior doctors and house surgeons will partake in the strike, the Odisha Medical Service Association plans to continue working while holding a candle march for justice. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the medical community, urging authorities to address the violence faced by doctors, particularly women. This strike aims to draw national sympathy for the plight of medical professionals and highlight the indifference of authorities towards their safety.