Hyderabad Doctors Boycott Duties, Protest at Dharna Chowk

Hyderabad: In continuation of their ongoing protests, hundreds of health care professionals from various medical colleges and medical associations in Hyderabad have shown their solidarity on day 4 demanding justice for the victim in Kolkatta sexual assault case. Thousands of medical professionals from various institutes including, Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Osmania Medical College and Gandhi Medical College have assembled at the Dharna Chowk and are fighting for the improved safety of the health care professionals across the nation.

Earlier, medical organizations including, the Indian Medical Associations (IMA), Junior Doctors Association(JUDA) and Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at the NIMS have also given a boycott call for their duties for 24 hours and 48 hours in various regions. However, the emergency services are continuing and the OPD services and elective surgeries have come to a halt.

Dharna chowk, a popular place that was once filled with the Separate Telangana movement is now filled with the white coat protestors. The peaceful protestors saw doctors singing heart wrenching songs describing the agony of the Kolkata victim and questioning the audacity of the accused, there were also flash mob performances creating awareness, and slogans demanding to save the saviors.

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It was said that the protests are scheduled to be continued till 2pm on Saturday at the Dharna Chowk. While there is no permission from the Telangana police for the rally, all the medical staff after an assembly at the Gandhi Hospital strike point, have come to Dharna Chowk in their own transport and through DCM vehicles.

Meanwhile, medical students from across the state including, Suryapet, Mahbubanagar, Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy among others areas have taken to the streets as a rally and protest.

IMA statement

In a statement released by the IMA, it is said, “Subsequent to the brutal crime in RG Kar Medical College Kolkata and the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students on the eve of the Independence Day, Indian Medical Association declares nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 06:00 am on Saturday 17 August 2024 to 06:00 am Sunday 18 August 2024 for 24 hours. All essential services will be maintained. Casualties will be manned. Routine OPDs will not function and elective surgeries will not be conducted. The withdrawal is across all the sectors wherever modern medicine doctors are providing service. IMA requires the sympathy of the nation with the just cause of its doctors.”