Hospitals in Bengaluru will remain shut on Monday, as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide strike after attacks on junior doctors at Kolkata's NRS Medical College and Hospital.
Dr Vivek Jawali, chairman and chief cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Fortis Hospitals, condemned the attacks on doctors and said the doctors in Bengaluru will go on strike in a gesture of solidarity with their agitating colleagues of West Bengal. "A doctor is the first and last person you see in your life. Respect him," he added.
Speaking about the manhandling of doctors in Kolkata, Jawali said, "This is worrisome. This irresponsible public and political behaviour will take us where most African and Middle Eastern regions are. Media, politicians and intellectuals at large will have to be sane, responsible and vocal."
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Patients in the city are going to have a tough time ahead. On Monday, OPDs and non-essential services will remain closed in hospitals across the city. However, emergency services and in-patient care will continue uninterrupted to ensure that patients are not inconvenienced. A notice put up by Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru, says, "In case a doctor wishes to see some OPD patient as an exception, s/he should reach out to the hospital admin for the suitable arrangement to be made. Hospital will put up posters and standees, etc., and black armbands will be provided to doctors and staff who wish to express their support". The hospital will also make arrangements to inform patients who have taken appointments for Monday.
But could doctors avoid the strike and resort to means of protest that do not cause inconvenience to patients? The strike is the last resort, says Dr S.K. Chaturvedi, senior professor of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. "Assault on a doctor should be considered as significant as an assault on a policeman or a magistrate or a media person on duty and proper steps should be taken to avoid these. There will then be no need for doctors to go on strike."
Dr Alexander Thomas is concerned about the repercussions of the attacks on doctors. "It has created a fear psychosis, and doctors are unable to perform effectively. Ultimately access to quality healthcare will be greatly constrained if corrective steps are not taken urgently. This madness of violence on medical professionals has to stop."