Nationwide Medical Strike: IMA Protests Following Trainee Doctor's Tragic Death

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services from 6 am on August 17 to protest the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.

Essential services will be maintained, and casualty wards will remain operational, the IMA stated late Thursday night. However, Out-patient departments (OPD) will not function, and elective surgeries will not be conducted during this period.

The IMA highlighted the vulnerability of doctors, especially women, to violence due to the nature of their profession, calling for better safety measures from authorities. The decision follows a collective meeting with state branches of the IMA.

(With inputs from agencies.)