Doctors Protest: Nationwide Strike Escalates Following Alleged Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor
New Delhi: A large-scale protest unfolded in the capital on Saturday as women medics, including doctors and resident doctors, rallied against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital last week. Carrying placards with messages like “I don’t want to be the next victim,” the protestors, adorned in their white coats and stethoscopes, began their march from Lady Hardinge Medical College.
The demonstrators, who have been agitating for six days, voiced their demands for a central law to protect healthcare professionals from violence. Their march culminated in a sit-in at Connaught Place before proceeding to Jantar Mantar for a candlelight vigil, where they chanted slogans such as “We want justice” and “Hang the rapist.”
The strike has significantly impacted non-emergency services across city-based health facilities. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had called for a nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services, leading to disruptions at major institutions including AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and RML Hospital. Private hospitals, including Sir Ganga Ram, Fortis, and Apollo, also joined the strike.
Patients have faced severe inconveniences. Kanpur resident, who had an appointment at GTB Hospital, expressed frustration over the ongoing strike, noting that there had been no resolution after several days. Another patient, Sarjeena, reported that only emergency cases were being attended to due to the strike.
At Jantar Mantar, the protestors held a candlelight march and continued to demand heightened security and legal protections. Earlier in the day, doctors at Safdarjung and RML Hospitals conducted a silent protest with black ribbons.
The Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) called for a “Central Protection Act” to ensure a safer working environment for doctors. The IMA has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address several demands, including improved working conditions, a central law against violence in healthcare settings, and the declaration of hospitals as safe zones.
In response, the Union Health Ministry announced plans to form a committee to recommend measures for safeguarding healthcare professionals. The ministry has requested that striking doctors resume their duties, citing rising cases of dengue and malaria.
The AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) criticized the ministry’s response as inadequate, citing previous instances where similar committees failed to achieve significant progress. The RDA has decided to continue the strike until their demands are met, while maintaining emergency and critical care services.
