The Indian Medical Association announced yesterday on June 16th 2019 that it will go ahead with its proposed strike on June 17, 2019. The strike will result in withdrawal of non-essential health services across the country.

IMA has taken a strong stand against the violence on doctors and has called the strike to protest against the recent assault on doctors in West Bengal. This announcement follows a day after Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan asked states to consider enacting specific legislation for protecting doctors and medical professionals from any form of violence.

The premium medical body however, has asked for a comprehensive central law in dealing with violence on doctors and healthcare staff and in hospitals. IMA has issued a statement saying, “Security measures and the determinants leading to violence should also be addressed.” IMA has said that exemplary punishment for perpetrators of violence should be a component of the central law and suitable amendments should be brought in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedures (CrPC).