Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Delhi doctors’ indefinite strike enters sixth day

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Elective medical services at Delhi hospitals remain suspended for the sixth consecutive day as doctors in the capital continue their protest, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The Indian Medical Association initiated a 24-hour nationwide strike starting at 6 AM on Saturday.

Members of major hospital resident doctors’ associations (RDAs) will reconvene in the evening to protest further, following demonstrations across the city on Friday.

Doctors from Delhi government hospitals, including those from AIIMS, RML Hospital, and DDU Hospital, have responded to multiple RDAs’ calls by organising protest marches and candlelight vigils throughout the city in response to the rape-murder incident.

The associations have collectively agreed to implement a unified action plan, pushing for a central protection Act they believe is essential for the safety and protection of healthcare workers nationwide.

The RDAs emphasised that the protest is not only a demand for justice but also a call for action to prevent future violence and ensure the safety of frontline healthcare workers.

On Friday, thousands of doctors who had been protesting on hospital premises came out to demonstrate in various parts of Delhi, including a dharna outside Nirman Bhawan.

Meanwhile, patients have struggled to receive necessary medical treatments since Monday, with some expressing frustration.

“We agree that what happened was brutal and swift justice should be delivered, but innocent people are suffering. Since Monday, I’ve been trying to get treatment, but the hospital staff asked me to return because the doctors are on strike,” said a patient who had come to Delhi AIIMS from Sohna, Haryana.

“It’s been five days now, and we’re still not getting treatment. If we could afford private services, we wouldn’t have to stand in line at 4 am. We hope a doctor will end this and eventually treat us,” he added.

Protesting doctors have assured that essential emergency services, including ICUs, emergency procedures, and emergency operation theatres, will continue without disruption.

Meanwhile, private hospitals have extended their support to government hospitals on strike, though there is no indication that they will suspend elective services. (With inputs from PTI)