Over 1,000 Goa Doctors to Shut OPDs in Protest of Kolkata Rape-Murder

Over 1,000 doctors in Goa will refrain from attending outpatient department (OPD) services for 24 hours starting August 17. This protest is in response to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee physician in Kolkata. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Goa Branch president Dr. Sandesh Chodankar announced this on Thursday.

The OPD services in both private and government hospitals will be shut from 6 am on August 17 to 6 am on August 18. This decision aligns with the nationwide strike called by the IMA to condemn the incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last week.

Nationwide Strike for Justice

Dr. Chodankar stated that more than 1,000 doctors would participate in the strike. Discussions are also ongoing with hospital support staff to join the state-wide protest. He urged all members of the Goa unit to follow the national body's directives to show unity and solidarity with the victim.

"What happened at the Kolkata hospital was a national shame and an attack on humanity," he asserted. He emphasised that this incident is not just about violence against a doctor but a brutal attack on a woman at her workplace, which could demand a nationwide shutdown across all professions if it occurred in other sectors.

Demands for Safety and Justice

The IMA has demanded justice for the victim's family, including appropriate financial compensation, fast-tracking of the investigation and trial, and exemplary punishment for those responsible. They have also called for the immediate implementation of a central law on violence against doctors, declaration of hospitals as safe zones, and adequate security for medical professionals.

Dr. Chodankar noted that adhering to IMA guidelines and shutting down routine OPD services is the minimum they can offer without compromising emergency patient care. The further course of action regarding the agitation will be decided on August 18.

The Goa IMA functionary stressed that this protest is essential to highlight the need for safety measures for medical professionals across India. The association believes that such incidents should not be tolerated and must be addressed with urgency to prevent future occurrences.

By participating in this strike, doctors aim to draw attention to the critical issue of violence against healthcare workers and push for necessary reforms to ensure their safety at workplaces.

This protest underscores the broader issue of workplace safety for women and professionals in various sectors. It calls for collective action to create safer environments for all employees.

The IMA's call for a nationwide strike reflects their commitment to advocating for justice and better protection measures for medical professionals across India.