Kolkata doctor case: IMA's 24-hour nationwide doctors strike begins, OPDs shut

Casualty departments at hospitals, which deal with emergencies, will continue to be staffed.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide strike and withdrawal of non-emergency medical services for 24 hours beginning today amid uproar over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital, Kolkata.

The strike began at 6 am on August 17 and will cut off access to elective medical procedures and out-patient consultations.

Casualty departments at hospitals, which deal with emergencies, will continue to be staffed.

A 31-year old trainee doctor was raped and murdered on August 9 inside the medical college in Kolkata where she worked, triggering nationwide protests among doctors.

Read here| Timeline of tragedy: How a civic volunteer’s actions led to the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital

Anger at the failure of tough laws to deter a rising tide of violence against women has fuelled protests by doctors and women's groups.

Also Read | Kolkata doctor rape-murder: NCW raises concern over 'tampering of evidence', alleges lapses in probe

"Women form the majority of our profession in this country. Time and again, we have asked for safety for them," IMA President R. V. Asokan told Reuters

In its statement, the IMA has put forth a list of demands to ensure that security protocols of hospitals "be no less than (that of) an airport" and they should be declared as safe zones with CCTVs and higher deployment of security personnel.

The Central bureau of investigation (CBI) took over the case from Kolkata police on August 13.

While addressing the nation on the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is outrage in the society over atrocities against women and state governments must take this seriously.

Without mentioning the recent incident of alleged rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, PM Modi said, “Cases of crime against women should be investigated and those responsible should be punished without delay.”