IMA announces 24-hour national hunger strike on October 15

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15 to support doctors in West Bengal, seeking justice for the young doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The announcement comes as a deadly rampage by junior doctors at the hospital enters its ninth day, with three hospitalized so far.

“The national action will be led by the IMA Junior Doctors Network and the Medical Students Network,” the IMA said in a statement on Sunday.

“Across the country, the IMA Junior Doctors Network (JDN) will organize fasting from dawn to dusk, between 6am and 6pm on Tuesday. The IMA JDN will coordinate with the RDAs as well as support their local actions,” the statement said.

“Young doctors of Calcutta are in a fasting fight to the death for their legitimate demands. They are on the ninth day of fasting. Three of them have been hospitalized. The movement has the support of the people. IMA has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister , Mamata Banerjee, accept your demands,” he added.

Furthermore, IMA noted that its National President, RV Asokan, met the young doctors on a fast. Its unit in Bengal actively supports young doctors in the agitation.

“IMA Bengal declared solidarity by fasting on Sunday in all local branches,” the statement said.

The IMA also urged all office holders and doctors residing in the country to adhere to the fast. The doctors’ body noted that the place of fasting/protest “should ideally be in their medical colleges or close to their campuses”.

Meanwhile, doctors posted at different private hospitals in West Bengal announced that they would partially suspend work for 48 hours from October 14.

The partial cessation of work will begin at 6 am on October 14th and will continue until 6 am on October 16th. Only emergency medical services from these private hospitals will be available during this period.

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