Doctors to Boycott OPD Services and Elective Surgeries in Protest

 

 Doctors to Boycott OPD Services and Elective Surgeries in Protest

 

Shimla, August 18 

The Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) has announced an indefinite boycott of outpatient department (OPD) services and elective surgeries, starting tomorrow. Dr. Vikas Thakur, Secretary of HMOA, stated, “We will suspend OPD services and elective operations from tomorrow. Our protest will persist until directed otherwise by our central bodies.” This action is a response to the recent brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor at a medical college in Kolkata.

 

In solidarity, the faculty of IGMC Shimla and Tanda Medical College have also declared that OPDs and elective surgeries will be suspended on Monday. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of IGMC Shimla and other medical colleges are participating in the protest by ceasing routine services. It remains uncertain whether these services will resume on Tuesday.

 

The disruption of services from primary health centers to medical colleges is expected to significantly inconvenience patients. While emergency services will continue as normal, patients, particularly those traveling to IGMC from across the state, may experience considerable difficulty.

 

In addition to seeking justice for the victim, doctors are calling for the immediate enforcement of the Himachal Pradesh Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions Amendment Act, 2017, to better protect health workers. Resident doctors, especially women, are also demanding increased security measures, including more CCTV cameras at vulnerable locations, additional security personnel, and separate duty rooms for female staff.

 

Dr. Sita Thakur, Principal of IGMC, mentioned that the hospital administration, in conjunction with RDA representatives, is addressing the concerns raised by the doctors and will work to resolve any identified issues.