Medical Community in Jharkhand Unites in 24-Hour Strike Against Kolkata Incident

Healthcare services in Jharkhand were disrupted as doctors participated in a 24-hour strike organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to protest the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. All elective services were suspended, although emergency services remained operational.

On Saturday, healthcare services in Jharkhand were significantly affected as doctors joined a 24-hour strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The strike was a response to the horrific rape and murder of a colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh, the state secretary of IMA, announced that health services, excluding emergency care, would be suspended until 6 am on Sunday. 'We seek justice for the trainee doctor and strongly condemn the vandalism at RG Kar MCH,' he stated.

According to Dr. Arun Kumar Singh, the state IMA chief, all government and private hospitals and diagnostic centers are participating in the strike. He emphasized that outpatient department (OPD) activities, elective surgeries, and other elective services are halted, though emergency services will remain unaffected.

Members of various medical associations, including the IMA, Jharkhand State Health Association (JHSA), RDA-CIP, and the Association of Healthcare Providers, are expected to march in Ranchi. Notably, junior doctors at RIMS-Ranchi have been protesting since August 13, and their counterparts at five other medical colleges joined the protest on Friday.

The incident that triggered this massive outcry involved the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor while she was on duty at RG Kar MCH last week, sparking widespread outrage and demands for justice within the medical community.

(With inputs from agencies.)