Amritsar: Doctors at GMCH, dental college go on strike in solidarity with Kolkata victim

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 16

Joining the nationwide protest over the rape and gruesome murder of a female medic in Kolkata, resident doctors and students of Government Medical College and Punjab Government Dental College, Amritsar, today announced a strike and staged protest, calling for swift justice and terming the Kolkata incident as ‘crime against humanity’. Wearing black ribbons and holding placards amid chants of “No Safety, No Service” and “Safety for all Women”, the junior resident doctors called for a major shutdown of medical services across the district, as they demanded stringent laws in place to ensure the safety of women and doctors.

“Safety must be ensured for us to do our work without worrying about when it might be our turn. The Kolkata incident happened inside the workplace that lacked safety and security. This must stop. We must be provided with Central Protection Act, it has become a compulsion now,” said Ashnoor, a dental college intern, who led the protests at the Punjab Government Dental College campus.

She was joined by 100 protesters, men and women, who called for swift justice in the Kolkata case.

“There was no CCTV, no security guard, who could have helped her. It’s been a week and no one knows how many culprits committed the crime or why such a grave act was committed. The government has long been ignoring the demand for safety of doctors, and this is not just about doctors, it’s about humanity, it’s about all women who live with the fear of being the next victim,” said Sameer, a medical intern at GMC.

Dr Karamjit Singh, Medical Superintendent, Government Medical College and Hospital, said that the protests and strike have been announced in solidarity with the Kolkata victim. “The Kolkata incident has sparked a nationwide movement among the medical fraternity, demanding workplace safety and action against culprits. The OPD services have been shut the entire day today, while emergency services are open. We have deputed senior doctors on ward duty as junior resident doctors and interns continue with their strike.”

The GMCH saw a total shutdown of OPD with only serious patients being provided medical services. The GMCH gets an average OPD footfall of 3,000-3,500 patients every day.

The Amritsar chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also called for a 24-hour strike starting from 6 am on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday. “This crime took place at her workplace. Doctors are on duty during the day as well as night and are vulnerable to such crimes. And this particular incident is not about doctors, it’s a heinous crime against humanity. It should be condemned on all platforms and by all citizens. It’s totally inhuman and intolerable,” said Dr Jaspreet Singh Grover, secretary, Indian Medical Association, Amritsar chapter, adding, “On nationwide call by IMA, we will observe a total strike from 6 am tomorrow till 6 am on Sunday. Only emergency services in all private and government hospitals will remain open.”

A protest march will be organised where a number of organisations including teachers, students and civil society members will participate.