Fri Nov 15 02:43:33 IST 2024: ## Doctors in India Stage One-Day Strike Following Assault on Oncologist
**Chennai, India – November 15, 2024** – Doctors and paramedical staff across India participated in a one-day strike on Thursday, protesting the increasing violence against medical professionals. The demonstration, which saw healthcare workers wearing black badges and holding placards, was held in response to the alleged assault of a senior oncologist at the Guindy Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Chennai on Wednesday.
The Federation of All India Medical Students’ Association (FAIMA) has announced plans to collect data on assaults against resident doctors nationwide and present it to state governments. This decision was taken following a meeting on Thursday to address the growing safety concerns of medical practitioners.
The incident at the KCSSH, where a patient’s attendant stabbed a doctor treating a cancer patient, is just one example of the escalating violence faced by medical professionals. FAIMA general secretary Dr. Divyansh Singh, who is also the president of the Resident Doctors Association of King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, stated that seven such attacks have been reported in his hospital alone within the last 30 days.
Dr. Singh emphasized that these assaults have become increasingly normalized, with incidents occurring daily across the country. “We want a Central Protection Act,” he said. “We are not blaming the patients, but the reality is that we are not gods. People are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, but that doesn’t justify attacking medical professionals.”
The association plans to use social media platforms to raise awareness about the situation and advocate for greater protection for healthcare workers. If their efforts prove ineffective, FAIMA has threatened a nationwide strike.
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