Kolkata docter rape case: OPD, OT services register 90% decline at AIIMS Delhi amid doctors strike

Amid a strike called by doctors to protest against the rape and murder of a female trainee-PG doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi registered more than 90 per cent fall in admissions, OPDs and operation theatres (OTs).

The emergency services and ICUs are functioning normally as of Saturday, said an official report by medical superintendent of AIIMS Delhi.

However, OPDs, admissions, operation theatres, Radiological investigations and nuclear medicine have registered more than 90 per cent reduction while laboratory services have been affected by more than 80 per cent.

Following the nationwide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incident, doctors at AIIMS in Delhi staged a protest march inside the campus on Saturday.

The doctors were seen holding posters and raising slogans of “We want justice.”

IMA’s national president Dr Asokan on Saturday said that the time is ripe for PM Narendra Modi's intervention into the rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

He added that they will be writing to the prime minister on the issue.

While emergencies and casualties will function, the IMA said that OPDs or elective surgeries will be suspended from 6 am on Saturday till 6 am on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

The suspension of work has affected thousands of patients across India. The protests — mostly led by women — have intensified in recent days, demanding a safer working environment.

On August 9, a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which led to nationwide protests by the medical fraternity.

A police volunteer working at the hospital was detained in connection with the crime, but the family of the victim alleged it was a gang rape and more people were involved.