Kerala doctor’s murder: Medicos go on strike; demand security, compensation for slain's family
Kerala's hospitals were unable to operate normally because the doctors' strike was only extended on Wednesday night. There were long lines outside many large hospitals
By Newsmeter Network Published on 11 May 2023 6:40 AM GMT
Kerala: Healthcare services were hit across Kerala after doctors went on a strike against the brutal murder of a lady medico on Wednesday.
The call for a two-day protest has been given by Kerala chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA).
Dr. Vandana Das was stabbed to death by a patient she was treating at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. Sandeep, who was brought by police for first aid, stabbed her repeatedly.
Dr. Roshnara Beegum, State General Secretary of Kerala Government Medical Teachers Organisation, said that the strike would continue till the government takes a decision about the security of physicians.
A resolution designating hospitals as high-security zones is one of the demands made by the medical groups. Unless it's an emergency, doctors won't be on call.
"We've previously informed the administration about the attacks we've been experiencing. We demand that the government take the necessary actions to ensure the protection of all the students, educators, and healthcare personnel in this state as a result of the tragic tragedy that occurred so that we may operate fearlessly. We will continue our strike until the government makes a solid decision on our security” Dr. Roshnara Beegum stated.
"The Hospital Protection Act Amendment should be put into effect; currently, nothing has been done in that regard. We need it to happen quickly," she added.
She said blamed the government’s inefficiency for such incidents.” If you look at the last two to three years, there have been a lot of incidences, but no one has been found guilty. Clearly, the problem is inefficiency. All services will be suspended tomorrow, with the exception of emergency care, and physicians, including house surgeons, PGs, and MBBS students, will strike” added Beegum.
Kerala's hospitals were unable to operate normally because the doctors' strike was only extended on Wednesday night. There were long lines outside many large hospitals.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called a meeting of IMA members.
On Wednesday evening, the IMA released a list of demands, which included a Rs 1 crore compensation for the Dr. Vandana family. Additionally, the physicians urged that the government file an FIR. Other demands include the creation of special courts, speedy trials (within a year), and increased severity of punishment.
Doctors in Kerala have been calling for changes to the Hospital Protection Act in light of the rise in violence against medical staff.
Reacting to the incident, Congress MP Shashi Tharoori tweeted a post saying that the system's inability to protect the lives of those who save others' lives disgraces us all. He demanded in Parliament urgent corrective measures must be taken without further delay.
