The Indian Medical Association (IMA) - Manipur State Branch has announced that it would observe IMA National Protest Day on Friday under the slogan ‘Save the Saviors’.
The protest is being organised with the objective to ‘stop assault on profession and professionals’ in the wake of increasing violence against medical professionals especially during the crucial time of the COVID-19 pandemic, IMA State unit stated in a release on Wednesday.
Condemning the recent incident of violence at JNIMS ICU as deplorable, IMA- MSB stated that about 700 doctors in the country, including six doctors from Manipur have died during the second wave of COVID pandemic, yet healthcare workers across the state and the country work tirelessly to mitigate the disaster and serve humanity. However, it is unfortunate that violence at the COVID workplaces are reported from time to time even during this critical hour, it stated.
The association will observe the national protest day by wearing Black Badges; playing banners, placards with the slogan ‘Save the Saviors’ and ‘Stop Violence on Profession and Professionals’ along with a sit-in protest at IMA-MSB Office at IMA House, Lamphelpat and hospital premises following Covid SOPs, it further stated, adding that Covid and Non-Covid services including vaccination would not be affected by the protest.
It may be mentioned here that IMA-(HQs), New Delhi had stated to all its members in a letter that the time has come to express the anguish and solidarity of medical professionals and make sure that the government comes out in public and assure the Central Hospital and Healthcare Professional Protection Act with IPC and CrPC tag; Standardization and augmentation of security in each hospital; and hospital shall be declared as protected zone; and Assault culprits shall be punished under fast-track mode with stringent punishment.
“As a responsible organisation, we are conscious of our duties during these pandemic times. The Action Committee of IMA, after considering all the aspects and to express our concern, anger, and solidarity, have decided to observe IMA National Protest Day with the objective of stopping assault on profession and professionals,” IMA-(HQs) stated.
