Naharlagun, August 17, 2024 — Healthcare services across Arunachal Pradesh were significantly impacted on Saturday as doctors and medical staff joined a nationwide protest in response to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
At Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences in Naharlagun, healthcare professionals staged a demonstration outside the Emergency and Trauma Department, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding justice for the victim and her family.
Routine hospital services were suspended, as reported by an anonymous doctor. Similarly, Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar halted outpatient and elective services for 24 hours from 6 AM, while continuing essential services. Swami Vedasarananda, Secretary of RKM, confirmed that emergency care remained unaffected.
Protests also took place at Aalo General Hospital in West Siang district and Bakin Pertin General Hospital in Pasighat. At Aalo, doctors specifically called for round-the-clock security for both public and private healthcare facilities.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Arunachal Pradesh branch, which organized the protests, is advocating for the immediate arrest and trial of those responsible for the crime. They are also calling for a national law to protect healthcare workers.
These protests highlight the urgent need for enhanced security and protection measures for medical professionals, reflecting widespread concern over their safety in the wake of this tragic event.