FAIMA Continues Nationwide OPD Shutdown Amid Protests for Justice

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has extended its nationwide strike, suspending Outpatient Department (OPD) services in response to the horrific sexual assault and killing of a female post-graduate trainee doctor at a Kolkata medical college on August 9. This protest reflects the growing demand for justice and the urgent need for improved protection for healthcare workers across India.

Protests and Continued Demands: Despite engaging in discussions with various Resident Doctors' Associations (RDAs) across the country, FAIMA stated that their concerns have not yet been addressed, leading to the extension of the strike. The association has used social media to amplify their call for central protection for healthcare workers (HCWs). Their posts have directly tagged key government officials, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action.

Resident doctors affiliated with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) have expressed a strong commitment to continue their strike until their demands are fully met and documented officially. The message from these organizations is clear: the strike will persist until they receive concrete assurances for the safety and protection of healthcare professionals.

Widespread Protests and Public Outcry: The heinous incident from August 9 has ignited widespread anger and protests among the medical community. At Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College Hospital (ANMMC) in South Bihar, doctors assembled with placards, calling for justice for the victim. Similar scenes of protest were observed at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC), where resident doctors expressed their demands for immediate action.

Dr. Himanshu, representing the psychiatric department at AGMC, outlined the key demands: the immediate punishment of the perpetrator, the establishment of a central act to protect resident doctors, and the enhancement of security within hospitals. He emphasized that while OPD services have been suspended during the protests, emergency services remain operational to ensure that patient care continues uninterrupted.

Call for Systemic Reforms: The ongoing protests and strikes highlight the medical community's call for systemic reforms to ensure the safety and protection of healthcare workers. FAIMA and the associated RDAs have shown strong solidarity with their peers, making it clear that the current state of affairs is untenable and requires urgent redress by the authorities.

These collective actions by healthcare professionals across the country are a powerful statement of unity and a demand for justice. As protests continue, the focus remains on ensuring that meaningful changes are implemented to protect healthcare workers and prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.

Note: In accordance with Supreme Court directives on cases involving sexual assault, the identity of the victim has been withheld to protect her privacy.