Junior Doctors Strike in Jharkhand Over Alleged Rape and Murder in Kolkata

Junior doctors in Jharkhand have gone on an indefinite strike to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a female medical trainee in Kolkata. They have boycotted OPD and elective OT services while continuing emergency services. The Indian Medical Association has also joined the protest for better safety laws.

Junior doctors at five medical colleges in Jharkhand commenced an indefinite strike on Friday, protesting against the alleged rape and murder of a female medico in Kolkata as well as vandalism at a healthcare facility, officials reported.

The striking doctors have boycotted outpatient department (OPD) and elective operation theatre (OT) services but have kept emergency services operational.

The president of the Jharkhand Junior Doctors Network (JDN), Vikash Kumar, stated that the medicos from colleges in Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Hazaribag, Palamu, and Dumka are participating in the strike.

JDN vice-president Dr. Jaideep explained, “Doctors did not want to go on strike as patients suffer due to hospital ceasework. However, only a central law ensuring doctor safety at the workplace can restore confidence among medicos after the Kolkata incident.”

Protest actions continued at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, with public demonstrations and street plays to inform people about their cause. Emergency services remained unaffected, but routine OPD and elective OT services faced disruptions.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Jharkhand chapter announced they would join the 24-hour national strike beginning Saturday in solidarity. IMA state secretary Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh said, “We seek justice for the Kolkata trainee doctor, and recent vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital necessitates our support.”

The incident involved a postgraduate trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. A civic volunteer has been arrested concerning the crime.

A mob of around 40 people allegedly vandalized the emergency department, nursing unit, and medicine store at the hospital, causing significant damage and stirring widespread outrage among the medical community.