The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide shutdown of hospital services in light of the recent rape and murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata. The shutdown on Saturday will suspend non-essential services and procedures, affecting most hospital departments. The brutal attack on the 31-year-old doctor has sparked outrage across the country, leading to protests and calls for justice.
Doctors, especially women, are vulnerable to violence due to the nature of their profession, and the IMA has demanded better safety measures from authorities. Medical unions in both government and private hospitals have backed the strike, with doctors halting elective services in protest. The autopsy confirmed sexual assault, highlighting the vulnerability of medics without proper protection.
Despite government efforts to tackle sexual violence since the 2012 gang rape and murder in Delhi, conviction rates for rape remain low and many perpetrators still believe they can escape punishment. Campaigners argue that little progress has been made in ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence. The case of the murdered doctor in Kolkata has once again brought attention to the issue of safety for medical professionals and the need for stronger measures to protect them.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
Nationwide Strike Called by Indian Doctors in Response to Rape and Murder of Kolkata Medic | Protests Erupt
