Thousands of doctors from both public and private medical institutions gathered at Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad for a protest organised by various doctor associations in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana. The four-hour demonstration saw strong police presence, as even some Members of Parliament (MPs) joined the doctors in their cause. The participating associations include Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA), Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) and All India Dental Students Association (AIDSA) among others.
Several doctors addressed the crowd, voicing their concerns. “Whenever there is a sexual assault on women in this country, society often suggests that women should learn self-defence techniques. But today, I want to say that women have done enough; it’s time society focuses on changing the male mentality,” Associate Professor of General Medicine at Gandhi Medical College Pratibha Lakshmi said.
Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya joined in the protest and pledged to raise the issue of safety of doctors in Parliament. Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender also joined the demonstration. “Doctors work tirelessly in government healthcare facilities, often in unsanitary conditions where even patients and attendants hesitate to come.
Despite providing such selfless service, they receive no protection. Governments must take action,” he said. Vice-President of Yashoda Hospitals Bala Raju expressed regret over the inconvenience ca.