Doctors and hospitals across Manipur are joining the nationwide protest against the frequent attack and violence on doctors across the country on Monday.
The Indian Medical Association, (IMA) Manipur State Branch has made an announcement, sources close to the doctors’ body said on Sunday.
“The IMA headquarters has called for nation-wide 24 hour withdrawal of non-essential services (closure of out-patient department services and routine operations from 6 am of June 17 to 6 am of June 18),”said a statement of the IMA Manipur State Branch in Imphal.
“Emergency and indoor service will remain unaffected and continue to function,” it added.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, president Dr Shyamkumar Laishram, IMA, Manipur State Branch said the recent brutal attack on Dr Paribaha Mukherjee of NRS Medical College and the West Bengal Government’s reluctance to assure the striking doctors has led to widespread condemnation and protests across India.
“IMA has been demanding a national law against hospital violence,” he said. He further stated that the withdrawal of services is in solidarity with nationwide strike of doctors called by IMA, on rising rate of violence on doctors.
He said doctors are also human beings; they chose a profession to serve people and not to harm their patients. IMA demanded exemplary action to be given by the state government of West Bengal.
World Medical Association has also passed a resolution against violence on healthcare establishments and urged to bring stronger legislation against this menace.
Shija Hospitals, a popular private hospital in Manipur also announced that it would support IMA in its decision of All India Medical 24 hrs withdrawal of non-essential services. There will be no routine OPDs and Operations from 6am of June 17 to 6am of June 18,says a press release.
“Shija Hospitals is taking part in the country wide protest demanding a National Law against Hospital Violence,” says Deputy Manager (Business Development) Takhellambam Premkumar in a press release.