The strike by the Udaipur Resident Doctors Union entered its 5th day on Monday, August 19, 2024. The protest is in response to the rape and murder of a female resident doctor in Kolkata. Due to Section 144 imposed in the city, doctors were unable to gather in large numbers.

The strike has affected patient care. Between August 16 and 19, Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital saw 7,343 OPD patients and 1,041 in the super-specialty department. This totals 8,384 patients over four days, compared to around 6,500 patients per day on normal days. At RNT Medical College, 631 resident doctors and 50 senior resident doctors are on strike. To keep the hospital running, 18 doctors from the medical department are working.

The union is demanding improved security measures in medical institutions under the Central Protection Act. This includes CCTV cameras and police personnel as security guards. Resident doctors provided emergency services during the protest on August 13 and 14, 2024.

The strike escalated after hundreds of men attacked doctors and vandalized RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 14,2024. The violence occurred during a midnight protest against the rape and murder of a junior doctor. A complete work boycott began on August 15. On August 16, doctors held a candlelight march in the city. Section 144 was imposed in Udaipur following the march. The Rajasthan Medical College Teachers Association supported the strike, with teachers wearing black armbands and boycotting work for two hours.

Union President Dr. Deepak Ninama highlighted that 13 years ago, there were 7 police outposts at RNT Medical College. This number has decreased to just one outpost with three police personnel. This reduction has raised concerns about safety among doctors, who fear potential violence from crowds after incidents.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar