Junior Doctors in Jharkhand Go on Indefinite Strike to Protest Kolkata Incident

Junior doctors at five medical colleges in Jharkhand launched an indefinite strike to protest the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata. Excluding emergency services, they boycotted OPD and elective surgeries. The protest demands a central law for the safety of medical professionals.

Junior doctors at five medical colleges in Jharkhand went on an indefinite strike on Friday to protest the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, and vandalism at a health facility there, according to officials.

The doctors have boycotted outpatient department (OPD) and elective operation theatre (OT) services but have excluded emergency services. Senior residents and junior doctors in Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Hazaribag, Palamu, and Dumka medical colleges are participating in the strike.

Dr. Jaideep, vice-president of the Jharkhand Junior Doctors Network (JDN), stated that such actions, though unfortunate, highlight the need for a central law to ensure the safety and security of healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Indian Medical Association (IMA) will join a 24-hour strike called by its national unit to seek justice for the victim and demand security improvements.