Hospitals and clinics in India staged a 24-hour shutdown in protest over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. More than one million doctors were expected to join the strike, paralyzing medical services in the populous nation. The government urged doctors to return to work in the public interest and promised to set up a committee to improve protection for healthcare professionals. However, the strike continued until Sunday.
The strike was in response to the killing of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, sparking nationwide protests among medical workers and public outrage over violence against women. The crime has been compared to the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student in New Delhi. The strike affected access to elective medical procedures and outpatient consultations, with a heavy police presence outside the medical college where the doctor was killed.
The chief minister of West Bengal supported the protests and announced measures to improve security for women working night shifts in response to the incident. The Central Bureau of Investigation detained one suspect in the case, and is conducting investigations involving medical students and the hospital principal. Protests continued throughout Kolkata, with private clinics and diagnostic centers closed in support of the strike.
Patients faced difficulties accessing medical care during the strike, with some unaware of the shutdown and waiting in line at hospitals. The lack of medical attention left many with no choice but to return home, highlighting the impact of the strike on patient care. The Indian government introduced legal changes after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, but campaigners say not enough has been done to prevent violence against women. The Indian Medical Association has called for increased legal measures to protect healthcare workers from violence.
Overall, the strike highlighted the ongoing issue of violence against women in India and the need for increased protection for healthcare workers. The solidarity shown by medical professionals in protesting the doctor’s murder underscores the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in the country.
