Shillong, Aug 17: Hospitals across Meghalaya suspended outpatient department (OPD) and non-emergency services for 24 hours starting Saturday morning in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata earlier this week.

At NEIGRIHMS, faculty members, resident doctors, MBBS students, and nursing students gathered on Saturday for a peaceful protest within the campus. This demonstration was held in solidarity with the nationwide protest organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Dr. Indranil Banerjee, the general secretary of North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences-Resident Doctors’ Association (NRDA), in a statement stated the peaceful protest against this grievous incident continues unabated and shall continue to raise its voices on behalf of the victim, on behalf of thousands of female resident doctors working throughout this country.

“Safety for healthcare workers has been a major issue for years, and this incident was the breaking point. We are here to show our support for the victim and to push for stronger safety laws, like the proposed Central Protection Act for healthcare workers”, said Dr. Indranil Banerjee.

The NRDA has also demanded a transparent investigation and justice for the Kolkata trainee doctor rape case victim. It has also demanded the swift passage of the Central Protection Act for Healthcare workers in the Parliament and Workplace safety in hospitals for all healthcare workers.

Bethany Hospital also suspended OPD services at their branches in Shillong, Nongpoh, Umsning, and Byrnihat. Likewise, Supercare Hospital also closed its OPD operations for 24 hours, till 6 a.m. of August 18. However, the hospital assured that all essential services would remain available for those requiring emergency care.

Dr. Kyntiewlang Sanmiet, the spokesperson of Bethany Hospital, also added that Bethany Hospital’s participation in this nationwide movement and the candlelight vigil reflects the hospital collective concern for the safety and well-being of all healthcare professionals. The Hospital urged the community to understand the importance of this cause and to support them as they advocate for better protection and respect for those who dedicate their lives to saving others, he said.

In addition, doctors at Mawkyrwat, Jowai, and Shillong Civil Hospitals abstained from OPD duties, although emergency services continue to operate for patients in need.

Government doctors across Meghalaya also observed a black badge protest on Saturday. These doctors, members of the Meghalaya Medical Services Association (MMSA), participated in the protest in solidarity with the All India Federation of Government Doctors’ Association (AIFGDA).

Read: Assam: AMCH doctors joins nationwide strike against Kolkata doctor’s brutal rape and murder

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