Kolkata rape-murder: IMA's 24-hour strike cripples OPDs nationwide

New Delhi, NT Bureau: The government on Saturday said a committee will be formed to propose safety measures for healthcare professionals even as OPD services were hit across the country as doctors joined the 24-hour nationwide strike called by the IMA to protest the alleged rape and murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata. Resident doctors at government hospitals in different parts of the country, including Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Haryana among others, have been protesting since Monday.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had given a nationwide call for the withdrawal of non-emergency services for 24 hours from 6 am on Saturday to protest the gruesome rape and murder at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.

On Saturday, the Union health ministry said representatives of all stakeholders, including the state governments, will be invited to share their suggestions with the committee as it urged the doctors to resume their duties in the larger public interest and in view of the rising number of dengue and malaria cases.

The IMA said it will respond to it after careful consideration of all aspects and consultations with its state branches.