What are the main demands of the protesting junior doctors in Assam’s medical colleges?
Medical interns and healthcare professionals at Gauhati Medical College and Silchar Medical College in Assam are demonstrating against the brutal rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This action aligns with the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) recent directive for a 24-hour suspension of non-urgent medical services across the country.
Dr. Tanchil, the head of the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDS) at GMCH, emphasized that the protests aim to guarantee the safety and security of every doctor in Assam. While acknowledging that GMCH has sufficient security, he pointed out that doctors in remote health centers are vulnerable. Over 600 junior doctors are participating in the GMCH protest, with about 500 doctors currently in attendance and around 100 supporting the hospital staff to ensure patient care is not compromised. Dr. Tanchil also mentioned that the protest will continue until 3 pm on Friday, coinciding with the Outpatient Department’s (OPD) closing time.
Similarly, junior doctors at SMCH and other medical colleges are also staging protests. Salman Choudhary, the president of the JDA at SMCH, highlighted that junior doctors at their institution have been subjected to harassment. Following their protests, the authorities have promised to address their concerns, including strengthening security measures. The doctors submitted a 10-point letter to the authorities, requesting an apology for a controversial advisory issued on August 12. However, with assurances of improved security, the demand for an apology has been downplayed. The junior doctors are supporting emergency services, with some remaining on duty while others participate in the protest.
Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, the principal of SMCH, stated that the protest has not significantly affected the hospital’s services due to the availability of faculty and other healthcare workers. He expressed respect for the junior doctors’ cause but assured that the hospital’s operations would not be severely impacted.
The body of a trainee doctor, showing signs of multiple injuries, was discovered on August 9 at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, sparking these nationwide protests within the medical community.
