Resident doctors from across India have rallied in support of the ongoing hunger strike at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, marking a crucial moment in their collective fight for better security and working conditions.
The hunger strike, now in its 38th day, began in response to the tragic alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee on August 9, 2024, which has sparked outrage across the country.
As per Edex Live reports, medical professionals from prestigious institutions, including the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), have joined the protest, highlighting the seriousness of the issues that resident doctors face. These include not only inadequate security but also poor working conditions that have long plagued healthcare professionals in India. The doctors are demanding immediate action to ensure that their workplaces are safe, and that those responsible for the heinous crime are brought to justice.
The protest has quickly gained national traction, with medical institutions from various states uniting in solidarity. Resident doctors from several states are voicing their support through different forms of protest. In JIPMER, doctors observed a one-hour pen-down strike, halting all non-essential services to express their frustration and demand change. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, a human chain was formed, symbolising the unity and resolve of the medical community in their fight for justice and systemic reform.
These protests have drawn attention to the long-standing concerns of resident doctors regarding workplace safety. Over the years, doctors across India have voiced complaints about inadequate security measures, particularly in government hospitals where they often face hostile working conditions. The violent attack at RG Kar Medical College has reignited these concerns, serving as a tipping point for healthcare workers to demand structural changes that ensure their safety while performing their duties.
The hunger strike at RG Kar Medical College, which initially started as a protest against the brutal crime, has now evolved into a nationwide movement. Resident doctors and healthcare professionals are using this moment to press for broader reforms, including enhanced security, better working conditions, and institutional changes that address the root causes of violence and exploitation in hospitals.
Despite the growing support and national attention, authorities have yet to take concrete action to address the demands of the protesting doctors. The striking medical professionals have called for urgent government intervention to address the systemic flaws that leave healthcare workers vulnerable.
As the strike continues, the medical community hopes that the sustained pressure will force the government and hospital administrations to take meaningful steps to improve working conditions and ensure that tragedies like the one at RG Kar Medical College are never repeated.