IT News
Imphal, Aug 17:
Hospitals across Manipur have united in a series of sit-in protests following the horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate student at RG KAR Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal. The demonstrations, held on August 17, 2024, express deep outrage and a collective demand for justice.
Medical professionals, students, and officials from various hospitals gathered to condemn the heinous crime and called for a thorough investigation. The incident has ignited widespread anger, with demands for enhanced security measures to protect healthcare workers nationwide.
At Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) doctors, staffs faculty members staged a sit-in demonstration. During the protest, emergency and casualty departments remain operational, while outpatient services or elective procedures were ceased. Students and faculty of Churachandpur Medical College also staged a protest demonstration at COVID Hospital Kiyamgei, Imphal.
At Raj Medicity, Imphal, the protest was led by Medical Director Dr. Ch Arunkumar, who emphasized that the protests represent a profound demand for justice. “This is a grievous assault not just on an individual but on the entire medical community. We stand united in our call for swift action,” Dr. Arunkumar stated.
Shija Hospitals & Research Institute (SHRI) also organized a sit-in protest on the same day, drawing over 300 participants, including MBBS students, faculty members from Shija Academy of Health Sciences, and consultants from Shija Hospitals. The protest was part of a nationwide response organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI).
The IMA and AHPI announced a 24-hour withdrawal of health services by all doctors of modern medicine across the country, beginning at 6 am on August 17, 2024, and continuing until 6 am on August 18, 2024. While emergency and casualty departments remain operational, no outpatient services or elective procedures will be available during this period.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Khundongbam Palin, MD of Shija Hospital and president of the Association of HealthCare Providers (India) – Manipur Chapter (AHPI), condemned the brutal attack. He called for justice for the victim and urged the authorities to implement measures to safeguard healthcare professionals nationwide. “The entire medical fraternity of Manipur strongly condemns this inhumane incident. We demand that justice be served swiftly and decisively,” Dr. Palin asserted.
The protests at both Raj Medicity and Shija Hospitals highlighted a united stand by the medical community in Manipur, reflecting a broader call for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
