17 Jun 2019 | 05:08 AM UTC
India: Doctors hold nationwide strike June 17 /update 1
Medical associations call for nationwide doctors’ strike on June 17; emergency services remain operational
Event
The Indian Medical Association called on its members to participate in a nationwide strike on Monday, June 17, in support of protesting doctors in Kolkata (West Bengal state). Non-emergency services will be disrupted from 06:00 (local time) on Monday until 06:00 on Tuesday, June 18. Doctors will also hold a sit-in protest in at the group's headquarters in New Delhi. Other medical associations are participating in solidarity actions, including a All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) strike from 12:00 on Monday to 06:00 on Tuesday. Emergency medical services will remain operational during the work stoppages. Similar strike and protests are possible in the coming weeks.
Context
Doctors in Kolkata (West Bengal state) began a strike on Tuesday, June 11, following the assault of a doctor. Healthcare workers are demanding increased security and safety measures.
Advice
Individuals in India, particularly West Bengal, are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate health service disruptions, and avoid any public demonstrations as a precaution.
