Chennai doctors on statewide strike after Oncologist stabbed
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Chennai: Tamil Nadu doctors have initiated a statewide strike following the stabbing of Dr. J Balaji, a senior oncologist at Kalaignar Centenary Super Specialty Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai. Dr. Balaji was allegedly attacked by a patient’s son over grievances related to his mother’s cancer treatment, sparking widespread unrest among the medical community.
In response, the Federation of Government Doctors’ Association (FoGDA) announced a boycott of all non-patient-related activities starting Thursday. This boycott includes suspending review meetings, documentation for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, and teaching duties in medical colleges.
Reports indicate that government doctors in several districts have extended the boycott to include all activities, disrupting outpatient services across the state and impacting numerous patients.
FoGDA plans to review its stance at an executive committee meeting on November 17 to determine the next steps. Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Tamil Nadu State Branch announced that nearly 45,000 doctors across 8,000 private hospitals will join a strike until 6 P.M. on Thursday. Emergency services will remain available, but outpatient care and elective surgeries will be paused during the strike.
The IMA has urged the government to legislate hospitals as safe zones and deploy police personnel in casualty wards and intensive care units. Dr. K. Senthil, president of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association, stated that the protest would continue until concrete security measures are implemented.
Representatives from the associations have held discussions with Health Minister Ma. Subramanian. FoGDA convenor M. Akilan has given the health department a two-day deadline to address their demands, which include two-tier security at hospitals, designating hospital premises as safe zones, and establishing a dedicated hospital protection force.
Health Minister M. A. Subramanian confirmed that a police outpost has been set up at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Specialty Hospital, with further police outposts and CCTV installations underway at Primary Health Centres statewide.
With IANS inputs