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Protesting the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) on Friday suspended outpatient department (OPD) services at public health centers across the State. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the medical community, with doctors demanding swift justice for the victim, the implementation of a central protection act for healthcare professionals, and improved security measures at public healthcare facilities.
 
PCMSA president Dr Akhil Sarin said that while OPD services were halted, emergency and medico-legal services remained operational. He emphasized that the protest is a call for action to ensure the safety and protection of healthcare professionals across the state. The suspension of services affected numerous health centers, including Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers, civil hospitals, and sub-divisional health centers.
 
Medical professionals held sit-ins at various health centers, voicing their demands for justice and safety. The protest has also led to the suspension of elective surgeries, further disrupting healthcare services in the State.
 
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for the continuation of the protest into Saturday, with private practitioners also expected to join by abstaining from attending to patients, except in emergency cases.
 
Punjab Specialist Doctors’ Association claimed that over 3,000 doctors across 685 government hospitals in Punjab participated in the protest, with OPD services remaining closed from 8 am to 2 pm. He highlighted the vulnerability of doctors, especially during night shifts, when they often face aggressive behaviour from patients’ attendants.
 
At Rajindra Medical College and Hospital in Patiala, doctors rallied under the banner ‘No Safety, No Duty’, underscoring the urgency of their demands. The protesting doctors called for immediate measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of healthcare workers, besides urging for swift implementation of the Central Protection Act for Doctors (Prevention of Violence Against Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments Bill, 2022), which would provide legal safeguards for medical professionals.
 
The protest received solidarity from the United Nurses Association of Punjab, whose members joined doctors in the demonstrations and planned a candle march to further highlight their demands.
 
IMA Punjab convenor Dr Manoj Sobti announced plans for rallies across the state, with memorandums to be submitted to Deputy Commissioners, calling for justice for the victim and comprehensive protection for all healthcare professionals.
 
The doctors at Bathinda's government hospital also shut down OPD services on Friday, with the medical staff, participating in protest marches, demanded a thorough investigation and strict punishment for the culprits.
 
Doctors expressed concern over the increasing crimes against medical professionals, criticizing the government's failure to take strict action. The strike disrupted healthcare services, leaving patients and their families distressed. The PCMS has halted services across Punjab, including Faridkot, where both government hospitals and Aam Aadmi Clinics are affected.
 
PCMS Punjab vice president Dr Vishwadeep Goyal, condemning the horrific incident, emphasized the widespread outrage among doctors and announced a candle march in protest.