New Delhi, October 13 (IANS). The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15 in support of the doctors of West Bengal.
This strike will be conducted to provide justice to the young doctor who was the victim of rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
This announcement has been made at a time when the fast of junior doctors at the hospital has entered the ninth day. So far three doctors have been admitted to the hospital.
“The nationwide action will be led by the IMA Junior Doctors Network and Medical Students Network,” the IMA said in a statement on Sunday.
“IMA Junior Doctors Network (JDN) across the country will organize a fast from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday. IMA will coordinate with JDN RDAs as well as support their local actions,” the statement said.
It said, “The young doctors of Kolkata are on a fast unto death for their legitimate demands. They are in the ninth day of their fast. Three of them have been admitted to the hospital. The movement is getting support from the people. IMA Has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to accept their demands.”
Apart from this, IMA said that its National President RV Ashokan met the young doctors who were fasting. Its Bengal unit is actively supporting the young doctors in the movement.
“IMA Bengal declared solidarity by observing a fast on Sunday in all local branches,” the statement said.
IMA has also urged all the officials and resident doctors of the country to join the fast.
The doctors’ organization said the fast or protest sites “should ideally be in their medical colleges or near the campuses.”
Meanwhile, doctors working in various private hospitals in West Bengal have announced that they will observe partial strike for 48 hours from October 14.
The partial work closure will start from 6 am on October 14 and will continue till 6 am on October 16.
During this period, only emergency medical services will be available in these private hospitals.
–IANS
AKS/ABM