Healthcare Services Hit as Doctors Protest in Manipur

In Manipur, healthcare services were disrupted as doctors protested against the rape and murder of a colleague in Kolkata. Outpatient departments were closed, but emergency services remained active. Doctors demanded justice and workplace safety amid nationwide support and demonstrations.

Healthcare services in Manipur were disrupted on Saturday as doctors staged a protest following the rape and murder of a medic at a Kolkata hospital.

Outpatient departments, including those at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), were shut down. 'We stand in solidarity with our colleagues against the tragic incident as well as the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students. We demand justice for the heinous crimes as well as safety at the workplace,' said Dr. Heisnam Angamba during a sit-in demonstration at JNIMS. Services in emergency and inpatient departments, however, remained operational.

In a separate statement, RIMS confirmed, 'Following a meeting of teachers and medical officers' association, we resolved to support the nationwide withdrawal of patient care services for 24 hours from 6 am on Saturday to protest the fatal assault on a postgraduate student of RG Kar Medical College.' Emergency services continued unaffected by the strike. The postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty, which led to the nationwide protest and resulted in parts of the hospital being ransacked by a mob on August 15.