The health services will be affected throughout the State on Monday in view of the nationwide strike condemning the recent assault on doctors in West Bengal. While the Indian Medical Association (IMA), an umbrella body of 3.25 lakh doctors in the country, will be at the helm of the protest, many other associations have extended their support as well.
The outpatient departments (OPDs) will not function, but emergency and casualty services will remain normal. However, services at the public hospitals will remain unaffected.
The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), Association of Otolaryngologists of India, Federation of Clinical Sonologists, Bombay Nursing Homes Association, Federation of Family Physician Association, Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, and the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association among others have called for the withdrawal of services on Monday.
“This anger has been simmering for some time now. The recent attack saw a doctor nearly get killed. The support is therefore immense so that our concerns are not ignored like always,” Dr. Lalit Kapoor, a member of the AMC, said.
The AMC has 11,600 doctors in Maharashtra and Karnataka as members. According to Dr. Kapoor, many private hospitals have also stepped forward this time and assured that they will keep their OPDs shut. The 24-hour strike will start at 6 a.m. on Monday.
The protesting doctors are demanding a Central Act to prevent violence against doctors. At present, only 19 States including Maharashtra has such an Act. “But even as Maharashtra has the Act, there has not been a single conviction so far,” Dr. Kapoor said. The doctors are also demanding that cases of violence against them be tried in fast track courts and the punishment be harsher.
A statement issued by the AMC said the Maharashtra Medicare Act passed in 2010 has made no significant difference as there has not been a single conviction since its implementation. “Under the circumstances, a designated authority with special powers ought to be appointed under the Act to deliver fast track and meaningful justice. Unfortunately, we don’t see this happening. Additionally, making the offence non-compoundable would make it more effective,” it said.
A statement from the AIOS said they condemn violence in any form and will leave no stone unturned to curb this threat. “We seek immediate arrest of the culprits along with strict implementation of law to control such crimes against doctors,” it said.
