IMA Calls 24-Hour Strike, Medical Service To Cripple From Tuesday

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Lynching of Dr. Deben Dutta on duty at Teok tea estate in Jorhat district has sparked protests across the State and doctors have decided to go on strike.

“This is the third major incidence of assault on doctors serving in tea gardens across Assam in recent times. The recent incidents have crossed all tolerable limits. It is high time for the authorities to rise to the occasion and ensure security of doctors at their work places,” a press communiqué issued by the Assam State branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) said.

The communiqué signed by the IMA state president Dr Satyajit Borah and IMA state secretary Dr Hemanga Baishya stated that even though doctors are always hesitant to go on strike, there is no other option but to go on strike in protest against the heinous killing of Dr Deben Dutta on Saturday.

The IMA has called for a “24 hours withdrawal of medical services excluding emergency” by doctors all over the State from 6 am on September 3 to 6 am on September 4.

“Out of 29 cases of violence against doctors, the police have so far filed charge sheets only in 14 cases. Investigation is still pending in 10 cases. The development points to the lack of seriousness of police and the State administration. Doctors in many government hospitals and healthcare centres suffer from insecurity and threat to their lives,” an office bearer of IMA said.

The IMA has demanded effective implementation of the ‘Assam Medicare Service Persons and Institutions Prevention of Violence and Damage to Properties Act, 2011’. The Act makes assaults and attacks on any medical practitioner a non-bailable and cognizable offence.

Also Read: Assaulted Tea Estate Doctor Succumbs To Injuries At Jorhat Medical College And Hospital

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