Doctor Raped-Killed, Health Workers in India Struggle for Justice

Jakarta –

Hospitals and health clinics in India went on strike and were in a state of emergency this weekend after health workers, including doctors and nurses, went on a 24-hour strike.

Reuters reported that more than a million doctors are expected to go on strike, paralyzing medical services in the world’s most populous country. The hospital said that medical college teachers have been made to work to handle emergency cases.

The government, in a statement released on Saturday after a meeting with representatives of medical associations, urged doctors to return to duty for the public good. The government will set up a committee to recommend measures to improve protection for healthcare professionals, he said.

In response, the Indian Medical Association said it was studying the government’s offer, but did not call off the strike, which was due to end at 6am on Sunday.

The strike action of doctors and health workers across India took place this Saturday starting at 06.00 local time or around 7.30 WIB. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) said it would suspend certain medical procedures and patient consultations during the strike.

“Young doctors have taken action first, so now that means 90 percent of doctors will take action,” IMA spokesperson in Telangana, Sanjeev Singh Yadav, told Reuters.

Dr Sandip Saha, a private pediatrician in the city, told Reuters he would not treat patients unless it was an emergency.

Hospitals and clinics in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Guwahati in Assam and Chennai in Tamil Nadu as well as other cities are taking part in the strike, which will be one of the largest shutdowns of hospital services in history.

India’s government introduced sweeping changes to the criminal justice system, including tougher sentences, after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, but activists say little has changed. and that not enough has been done to prevent violence against women.

“Most of our professions in this country are women. Many times, we have asked for their safety,” said IMA President, RV Asokan.

(kna/kna)