More than 25,000 radiologists are taking part in a 24 hour strike across Maharashtra—one of India’s largest states and home to its capital, Mumbai—in response to a recent assault on doctors in West Bengal, India.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had previously called for the strike to begin on Monday, June 17, and the Maharashtra State Branch of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (MSBIRIA)—the largest association of radiologists in the state—echoed that call, according to reporting from the Free Press Journal.
“During this period all the Radiodiagnostic Modalities like Sonography, X-Ray, CT Scan and MRI Services will remain suspended,” said Samir Gandhi, secretary of MSBIRIA in the report.
All emergency services will not be affected and patients already hospitalized will continue to receive proper attention, according to the Economic Times.
Doctors in West Bengal have been on strike since June 11, following an attack on two colleagues which left them seriously injured. Relatives of a patient who died at NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata allegedly carried out the attack, according to the Economic Times. The IMA is demanding a comprehensive law to deal with violence against doctors.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.