Kolkata doctor murder case: Hyderabad hospitals suspend OPD services for 24 hours

Hyderabad: In response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, protests have erupted across India, with the medical fraternity in Telangana joining the nationwide outcry.

Medical professionals from government and private hospitals have suspended outpatient and elective services, with major institutions such as Osmania, Apollo Hospitals, Yashoda Hospitals, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital, and the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) observing a 24-hour suspension starting from 6 am Saturday.

The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA), Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGDA), and NIMS Resident Doctors Association have extended their protests into a fourth day, impacting healthcare services across the state. Elective surgeries at Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital (OGH) and NIMS were postponed, with more than 200 surgeries affected. Emergency services, however, continue to operate as usual.

Protests spread across Telangana

In Jangaon, a large rally was conducted by the Government Medical College and Hospital, drawing over 1,000 participants, including doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, lab technicians, students, and various student organisations.

Meanwhile, at the Institute of Mental Health in Hyderabad, protests intensified, with faculty from Osmania General Hospital boycotting outpatient and elective duties in solidarity with the Kolkata doctor, demanding justice and systemic change.

Feminist alliance demands justice and systemic reform

The All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), a prominent member of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has issued a strong condemnation of the brutal incident.

The alliance called for immediate justice for the deceased doctor and action against those responsible for the crime.

ALIFA highlighted the systemic violence in healthcare, particularly against women, and called for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients alike.

ALIFA’s statement on Saturday detailed the horrific nature of the crime and the subsequent cover-up attempts by hospital authorities and the police.

The doctor was reportedly gang-raped and murdered during a night shift at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, with the hospital administration initially labelling her death as suicide.

The autopsy revealed signs of strangulation and multiple injuries, suggesting the involvement of more than one assailant. The alliance has called for a thorough investigation, including criminal proceedings against hospital officials and police officers who attempted to destroy evidence.

The statement also addressed broader issues of violence in healthcare, particularly the vulnerabilities faced by women, transgender and queer healthcare workers.

ALIFA demanded the full implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, including the provision of safe on-call rooms, proper lighting, and secure working conditions.

Voices from the medical community

Doctors across India have expressed their outrage at the incident and the broader issue of violence in healthcare.

“The safety of our colleagues, especially women, is paramount. The horrifying crime in Kolkata is a wake-up call for the entire nation,” said Dr A Prasad, a senior resident at Gandhi Hospital. “We demand justice for our colleague and call for immediate reforms to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.”

Another doctor, Dr S Reddy from NIMS, emphasised the need for systemic change: “This is not just about one incident. The entire healthcare system needs to be scrutinised and reformed to protect those who dedicate their lives to saving others.”

Demand for systemic change

The protests and demands for justice reflect a growing movement within the medical community and feminist organisations for systemic change in how healthcare workers are treated and protected. The call for a fair and transparent investigation into the Kolkata incident is just one part of a broader push for safer working conditions and accountability in the healthcare sector.

“We stand in solidarity with all those facing and resisting gendered and other forms of discrimination and violence in healthcare systems on a daily basis. We call for immediate and serious action to prevent and end violence in healthcare,” said Varsha Bhargavi, research scholar and member of ALIFA.

As protests continue, the medical fraternity and feminist groups across India remain united in their demand for justice and lasting change.

The tragic incident in Kolkata has sparked a nationwide movement, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to address violence in healthcare and ensure the safety and dignity of all healthcare workers.