New Delhi, Oct 13 The All India Medical Association has called for a nationwide “shutdown of elective services” on October 14 (Monday) in support of doctors from West Bengal who are demanding justice for the young doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had announced a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15, while the hunger strike by junior doctors in Kolkata continued for the ninth day with three doctors being hospitalised.
The doctors’ body called for the shutdown in an open letter addressed to all national medical associations, state Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) and Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDA) of various state medical colleges and institutions of national importance (INIs).
The letter said that since August 9, FAIMA has been united in demanding justice for our colleague and the fundamental right to a safe working environment for all healthcare professionals across the country.
It said that even after writing countless letters to ministers and bureaucrats in the last two months, they are facing the ‘same horrific realities’, voices are being ignored, safety is being compromised and appeals are being rejected.
The letter said that no satisfactory action has been taken since their last letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal. In the letter, they had given an ultimatum to extend the strike if their demands were not met. This is forcing us to request all RDAs and Medical Associations across the country to join us in our call to shut down elective services across the country from October 14.
It further said, “We have been sidelined, we are left with no option but to take action, not only for ourselves but also for the sanctity of the medical profession and the safety of all healthcare workers. We cannot risk losing another colleague due to violence or neglect. The government’s apathy has left us with no other option.”
The letter, however, requested all RDAs and associations to keep emergency facilities open 24×7 as patients who need our immediate service should not be inconvenienced.
