Nationwide Doctors' Protest Over Kolkata Incident Hits Hospital Services

Hospital services across India were disrupted due to a nationwide doctors' protest following the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata. Thousands of doctors demanded justice and better security, leading to the halting of healthcare services except emergencies in several cities.

Hospital services were severely disrupted on Tuesday across Indian cities due to a nationwide doctors' protest sparked by the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, according to authorities and media reports.

Television footage captured thousands of doctors marching on Monday, demanding justice for the victim and improved security at a government-run hospital in West Bengal. The protests crippled health services and spread nationwide on Tuesday, involving over 8,000 government doctors in Maharashtra, forcing most hospital departments to a halt, barring emergency services.

In New Delhi, junior doctors donning white coats held posters with slogans like, "Doctors are not punching bags," as they staged a sit-in outside a large government hospital. The protests left countless patients stranded in cities including Lucknow, Goa, and New Delhi. The Indian Medical Association cited poor working conditions and workplace violence as ongoing issues in their letter to Health Minister J P Nadda. Despite arrests and resignations in Kolkata, doctors insist their work environment remains unsafe.

(With inputs from agencies.)