IMA Declares Nationwide Hunger Strike

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15 to support doctors in West Bengal and demand justice for the female postgraduate doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The announcement comes as a fast-unto-death agitation by junior doctors at the hospital entered the ninth day, with three hospitalised so far.

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

According to the PTI report, "Across the country, IMA Junior Doctors' Network (JDN) will organise fasting from dawn to dusk between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. IMA JDN will coordinate with RDAs as well as support their local actions," the statement said.

Also Read: RG Kar Case: IMA writes to CM Banerjee over Doctors' hunger strike, Says 'Security not Luxury'

"Young doctors of Kolkata are on a Fast-Unto-Death struggle for their legitimate demands. They are on their ninth day of fasting. Three of them have been hospitalised. The movement has the support of the people. IMA has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to accept their demands," it added.

Further, the IMA noted that its National President RV Asokan met the fasting young doctors. Its Bengal unit is actively supporting young doctors at the agitation.

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

The IMA has also urged all office bearers and resident doctors in the country to join the fast. The doctors' body noted that the fasting/protest venue "should be ideally in their medical colleges or near the campuses", news agency PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the doctors posted with different private hospitals in West Bengal announced that they would go for partial cease-work for 48 hours from October 14.

• The partial cease-work will start at 6 a.m. October 14 and continue till 6 a.m. on October 16.
• Only the emergency medical services in these private hospitals will be available during this period.

Also Read: RG Kar Case: Junior doctors' hunger strike enters 10th day, Govt calls for meeting