NEW DELHI: Resident doctors at major govt hospitals across Delhi are set to indefinitely halt all elective services starting Monday to protest the brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata. They are demanding immediate action in the case and measures to ensure protection for all healthcare workers.
The rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata is undoubtedly horrific. But for Delhi government doctors to suspend elective procedures indefinitely in response to the incident is difficult to justify. Neither the government of Delhi nor the patients of the Capital are in any way responsible for the incident or involved in determining the official response to it. And it isn’t as if no action has been taken against the accused. So why hold the Capital to ransom?
President of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), Dr Aviral Mathur said safety of doctors must be prioritised to allow them to continue their crucial work without fear.“We can no longer stand by while our safety is compromised. The recent horrific rape and murder of a fellow doctor on hospital premises is the final straw,” he said. “We are initiating an indefinite strike, in coordination with other doctor associations of the national capital, from Monday to demand immediate action and protection for all healthcare workers. Our ability to care for patients hinges on our own safety being ensured,” he added.
Dr Bharani Kumar, president of the resident doctors’ associations (RDA) at Delhi’s Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, said they have decided to shut down elective services, including OPD, elective surgeries and ward duties starting Monday. “We are deeply grieved by this heinous crime and demand an immediate, transparent investigation with severe punishment for those responsible,” he said. “The govt must swiftly implement the ‘Central Protection Act for Doctors’ and enhance security measures across hospitals nationwide, including installation of CCTV cameras in high-risk areas. Today it happened in Bengal, tomorrow it could be Delhi, or any other part of the nation,” he added.
RDAs of Maulana Azad Medical College, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital and GTB Hospital have also announced the suspension of elective services.
The body of the 32-year-old woman was found on Thursday night in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. Kolkata Police on Saturday arrested the accused under Sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the BNS and produced him before Sealdah court, which remanded him in police custody till Aug 23.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya RDA president Dr Vipin K Madhogarhia said in a statement, “We extend our full support in the pursuit of justice for our fellow doctor in the face of this heinous crime. Together, we stand united in this hour of need… As a mark of solidarity with our colleagues at RG Kar, we announce a nationwide suspension of elective services in hospitals starting August 12. This decision is not made lightly but is necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and that the demands for justice and safety are addressed without further delay.”
On Saturday, several resident doctors’ associations held a candlelight march, demanding an immediate and thorough investigation as well as a CBI inquiry into the incident.
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