Resident doctors from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) have decided to extend their strike until their demands are fully addressed and documented. This decision follows the recent brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, an incident that has deeply shocked the medical community.
The statement released by BMC MARD said, “We the office bearers of BMC MARD convened a meeting, and have decided that the ongoing strike will continue until all the demands put forth by the association are fully met and provided in writing. The decision to persist with the strike is firm, and no actions will be taken to end it until our demands are addressed satisfactorily.”
The incident that took place on August 9 has ignited widespread outrage and prompted protests both within the medical community and beyond.
On Tuesday, doctors from Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College Hospital (ANMMC), the largest government hospital in South Bihar, staged a protest in response to the incident. They went on strike in front of the hospital’s superintendent, holding placards and calling for justice. Visuals showed the doctors with placards, emphasising their demand for accountability.
On Tuesday, resident doctors at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) held a protest in response to the incident. Dr Himanshu from the psychiatric department told ANI that the doctors had presented three key demands. He noted that while all outpatient departments (OPDs) were closed during the protest, emergency services remained available for patients.
“We have only three demands. The culprit should be immediately punished. There should be a central Act for all the residents’ doctors and their protection inside the hospital,” he said.
Junior doctors at Guwahati Medical College & Hospital in Assam organised a candlelight march to express their solidarity with the victim of the rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.