Health services in the national capital have been severely disrupted as the doctors’ strike entered its seventh day on Sunday, triggered by the tragic rape and murder of a medical student in Kolkata.
The strike, which began last Monday, has seen widespread participation from both private and government hospitals across Delhi, causing significant inconvenience to patients.
On Sunday, the Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDA) of various medical colleges and institutions in Delhi decided to hold a candle march outside Gate 1 of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station at 6 p.m.
The march, intended to raise awareness about the incident at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, is part of a broader action plan approved during a general body meeting earlier in the day.
"We will assemble in groups of 3-4 at Gate No. 1, Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, form a human chain, and light candles at the inner circle to raise awareness about the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College," read a statement from the GTB Hospital RDA.
The ongoing strike, which has now entered its second week, has seen participation from all major medical institutions in Delhi, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Safdarjung Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
The strike is being led by the Action Committee for the Central Protection Act, which was formed by the RDAs of Delhi in response to the incident in Kolkata.
The committee, which includes representatives from AIIMS, RML Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Maulana Azad Medical College, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, has been pushing for a Central Protection Act to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
In response to the strike, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) issued a notice on August 17, promising the formation of a committee to suggest safety measures for doctors.
However, the doctors’ body has expressed disappointment with the ministry’s assurances, citing the failure of previous committees to deliver significant results.
The ongoing strike has severely impacted non-emergency services across the city, with outpatient departments (OPDs), ward services, and elective surgeries being the most affected.
While essential emergency services, including Intensive Care Units (ICUs), emergency procedures, and emergency surgeries, continue to operate, the disruption of non-emergency services has caused significant inconvenience to patients.
The situation worsened on Sunday as personnel from private institutions such as Sir Ganga Ram, Fortis, and Apollo Hospitals also joined the protests following a call by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services.
The IMA’s call for solidarity with the striking doctors in Delhi has further intensified the impact of the strike, with patients across the city facing delays in receiving medical care.
As the strike enters its second week, there is growing concern over the prolonged disruption of healthcare services in the national capital.
The RDAs have made it clear that the strike will continue until their demands for the implementation of a Central Protection Act and the assurance of safety for healthcare professionals are met.
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