IMPHAL, June 17 - Showing solidarity with the nationwide protest called by Indian Medical Association (IMA) against the frequent attack and violence on doctors across the country, doctors and hospitals in Manipur today joined the protest by suspending routine OPD and operations.
The protest which began at 6 am today will continue till 6 am of Tuesday. With the doctors joining the protest, normal functioning of healthcare centres particularly the OPD and operations were affected.
�But the emergency and casualty service continue to function,� said IMA Manipur unit secretary Dr Nelson Loitongbam. �IMA has been demanding a national law against hospital violence�, he informed.
He said the doctors under Manipur State health services and others working in the eight district hospitals, three community health centres, besides those working in more than a dozen private hospitals have extended support to the protest.
More than 1,000 doctors working across the State are reportedly supporting the nationwide protest.
MBBS students, junior resident doctors of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences(RIMS) and IMA Manipur branch also held a protest meeting followed by a silent protest rally by wearing black badges.
Aizawl Correspondent adds: Doctors in all State-run hospitals, private hospitals and private clinics in Mizoram abstained from duties today, to show solidarity with the doctors� fraternity across the country.
The 24-hour strike was called by Mizoram Chapter of All India Medical Association in protest against alleged assault on a doctor at NRS Medical College, Kolkata. All out patient departments (OPDs), routine operation theatre services and ward visits were withdrawn from 6 am on Monday to 6 am of Tuesday. The strike, however, did not affect emergency/casualty services.
At 9 am today, doctors at Aizawl Civil Hospital staged peaceful demonstration in the campus of the hospital.
