Strike across India by doctors today

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, June 16

Doctors across India are likely to suspend non-essential healthcare facilities tomorrow in response to the Indian Medical Association’s call for a nationwide strike.

The IMA gave the call two days ago in solidarity with the junior doctors at NRS Medical College, Kolkata, who are protesting an assault on two colleagues by the family of a deceased patient. 

Meanwhile, there’s no end in sight to the ongoing impasse in Bengal, with the agitating NRS College doctors agreeing to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the condition that she speaks to them under media glare for the sake of transparency. The ball is in Banerjee’s court.

Back in Delhi, the Delhi Medical Association held an emergency executive committee meeting and decided to support the strike call. The strike starts at 6 am on Monday until 6 am Tuesday.

DMA President Girish Tyagi said hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic facilities had been asked to suspend routine services tomorrow.

IMA leaders said only non- emergency services will be disrupted by the strike in which all doctors will wear black badges. They said casualty and trauma services will continue as usual.

Earlier, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had urged doctors not to strike work.

IMA stuck on demand 

The Indian Medical Association on Sunday said it will go ahead with its strike on June 17, a day after Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan asked states to consider enacting specific legislations for protecting medical professionals from any form of violence. IMA, however, demanded a comprehensive Central law to deal with violence against doctors.