Condemning violence in West Bengal, AIIMS doctors in Delhi wear bandages as black bands; to boycott work tomorrow

Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Delhi wore bandages and helmets as a sign of protest. The doctors in the national capital wore red-stained bandages and helmets while attending patients all day.

Several resident doctors also held a protest at Jantar Mantar against the brutal attack. (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: Showing their solidarity with the doctors protesting in West Bengal, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Delhi wore bandages and helmets as a sign of protest. The doctors in the national capital wore red-stained bandages and helmets while attending patients all day. Reports suggest the doctors in Delhi will also go on a strike on Friday in solidarity with the Kolkata doctors protesting the attack on their colleague. There will be a complete shutdown of all out patient departments (OPDs), routine operation theater services and ward visits, except emergency services in the hospitals, news agency PTI quoted several medical bodies of the city as saying. Resident doctors at the AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital here worked with bandages on their heads in a symbolic protest on Thursday and called for suspension of all non-emergency services, including OPD, on June 14 to protest against the violence in Kolkata. Several resident doctors also held a protest at Jantar Mantar against the brutal attack. Condemning the violence in Bengal, the AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) has also urged all the RDAs across the country to join the token strike. "There is a complete breakdown of law and order, with reports of mobs attacking doctor hostels with weapons. The government has failed to provide protection and justice to doctors. "The AIIMS RDA condemns this in words and in spirit. Residents across the country are deeply hurt by these turn of events," the RDA said in a statement. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has asked members of all its state branches to stage protests and wear black badges on Friday. In a communique to all its state presidents and secretaries, the IMA has asked them to organise demonstrations in front of the district collectors' offices from 10 am to 12 noon on Friday and hand over a memorandum, addressed to the prime minister, to the collectors in every district. Even the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) observed a 'Black Day' on Thursday against the brutal attack and has declared a statewide absolute shutdown on Friday. The DMA Executive stated that the organisation is ready for an agitation to press for strong legislation and strict action against violence at hospitals. Simultaneously, all the local branches and individual members of the IMA will send an appeal to the prime minister and the Union Home Minister, demanding a Central Act on violence against doctors and in hospitals. Junior doctors in West Bengal are on a strike since Tuesday after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured at the NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In the wake of the strike, the AIIMS has instituted contingency measures to take care of the admitted patients, including those in the ICUs and wards.