Protests Erupt Over Kolkata Hospital Tragedy as Medical Services Disrupted

Protests over the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata continue, disrupting medical services. Junior doctors and medical trainees demand safety and justice. The state government faces pressure to act swiftly. National support grows for the agitating doctors.

Protests demanding quick punishment for those responsible for the rape and murder of a woman doctor inside a Kolkata hospital have continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday, significantly impacting services in government hospitals across West Bengal.

Junior doctors, house staff, and post-graduate trainees (PGT) at various state-run hospitals are also advocating for enhanced security measures within medical establishments.

None of them reported to duties on Sunday, leaving authorities scrambling to maintain patient services.

The body of the woman PGT, who was raped and murdered inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was discovered in its seminar room on Friday morning, sparking the protests that evening.

One person, reportedly an outsider who frequented the hospital premises, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the crime.

''We want the state government to fulfill our demands and punish the culprits as quickly as possible. Our protest will continue until then,'' said a junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The protesting doctors stress that the safety of medical professionals, particularly those still in training, must be urgently addressed.

Support for the agitating doctors has poured in from different parts of the country, with the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association of India (FORDA) calling for a nationwide shutdown of elective services in hospitals on Monday.

FORDA has also informed the Union Health Ministry of their decision, while the West Bengal Doctors Forum has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting an impartial enquiry and demanding adequate security measures for doctors and health workers.

Meanwhile, the state health department has cancelled off-days and holidays for all senior doctors to manage the crisis, with instructions for hospital heads to implement this order immediately.

Outpatient departments (OPDs), which are usually closed on Sundays, are expected to see a huge influx of patients on Monday as they reopen, making the presence of senior doctors even more crucial.

(With inputs from agencies.)