The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide strike on Monday, demanding better security at hospitals after an attack on junior doctors in Kolkata, according to news reports.
The IMA said the “barbaric” attack at NRS Hospital in Kolkata reflected a national problem, news agency Reuters reported from New Delhi. The medical body also demanded legislation to safeguard doctors.
The strike by the IMA, which represents nearly 350,000 doctors, could paralyse hundreds of government-run health facilities across the country. The association, however, assured that all emergency and casualty services will continue to function.
The IMA had previously called for a pan-India agitation on Friday, but later asked for the protests to continue over the weekend. It later announced the nationwide withdrawal of non-essential services in all health care institutions on Monday.
