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THE WEEK morning brief: Doctors to stage ‘white alert’ protest

The IMA wants "special Central law" against violence targeting health care workers

Representational image of health care professionals with protective gear | Salil Bera

Doctors' 'white alert'

The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide 'white alert' protest by its members on Wednesday against incidents of attacks on health care professionals engaged in the fight against COVID-19.

The 'white alert' protest involves doctors and hospitals across India lighting candles as a symbol of protest. "Light a candle with white coat. White alert is only a warning," the IMA said in a letter addressed to its doctors and hospitals.

The IMA is seeking a "special Central law" against violence targeting doctors, nurses, health care workers and hospitals by an ordinance.

The doctors’ body also warned that it will observe 'black day' if no action is taken by the government and doctors in the country will work with black badges on April 23. “Further decisions will be taken if suitable steps are not taken by the government even after black day,” the IMA said.

Rajasthan mobile OPD services

The Rajasthan government has decided to launch mobile OPDs from Wednesday in a bid to provide medical services to people near their doorstep in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

For the initiative, the government will deploy 400 vans at the sub-divisional level across the state, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, adding that the mobile units will be operational in both rural and urban areas.

People can approach the mobile OPD vans for general health-related problems, he said, stressing that regular patients are suffering as some hospitals have been dedicated to coronavirus treatment.

“If any person approaches the mobile OPD with serious illness, the chief medical and health official will be informed, who will ensure that the treatment starts on priority at a government or private hospital,” Gehlot said.

BMS to observe solidarity day

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the RSS trade union, will observe a 'solidarity day' on Wednesday to show its support to those engaged in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

"It can be observed—in houses, union offices, workplaces (lockdown areas), in streets, junctions, hospitals, police stations, railway stations, banks (unrestricted area)—but compulsorily maintain social distance. There should not be any mass gathering anywhere," instructed BMS general secretary Vrijesh Upadhyay.

EU foreign ministers' meeting

EU foreign ministers are expected to hold a videoconference on Wednesday to discuss the forum's approach to issues including Ukraine with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of April 20, Ukraine has reported about 5,710 cases of COVID-19, including 151 deaths.

2020 Triumph Street Triple RS launch

Triumph Motorcycles is expected to launch its 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS bike on Wednesday. The launch will be done via an online event. The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS has an updated 768cc single-cylinder engine and updated design.

The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS is expected to have a price of Rs 11.13 lakh and will compete against the KTM 790 Duke, the 890 Duke and the Ducati Monster 821.

Motorola Edge+ launch

Motorola is expected to launch its flagship Edge+ phone via an online event at 9.30pm (IST) on Wednesday. The Motorola Edge+ will have a 6.67inch full-HD display. The Motorola Edge+ will have a Snapdragon 865 SoC processor and 12GB of RAM and runs on Android 10.

Doctors' 'white alert'

The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide 'white alert' protest by its members on Wednesday against incidents of attacks on health care professionals engaged in the fight against COVID-19.

The 'white alert' protest involves doctors and hospitals across India lighting candles as a symbol of protest. "Light a candle with white coat. White alert is only a warning," the IMA said in a letter addressed to its doctors and hospitals.

The IMA is seeking a "special Central law" against violence targeting doctors, nurses, health care workers and hospitals by an ordinance.

The doctors’ body also warned that it will observe 'black day' if no action is taken by the government and doctors in the country will work with black badges on April 23. “Further decisions will be taken if suitable steps are not taken by the government even after black day,” the IMA said.

Rajasthan mobile OPD services

The Rajasthan government has decided to launch mobile OPDs from Wednesday in a bid to provide medical services to people near their doorstep in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

For the initiative, the government will deploy 400 vans at the sub-divisional level across the state, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, adding that the mobile units will be operational in both rural and urban areas.

People can approach the mobile OPD vans for general health-related problems, he said, stressing that regular patients are suffering as some hospitals have been dedicated to coronavirus treatment.

“If any person approaches the mobile OPD with serious illness, the chief medical and health official will be informed, who will ensure that the treatment starts on priority at a government or private hospital,” Gehlot said.

BMS to observe solidarity day

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the RSS trade union, will observe a 'solidarity day' on Wednesday to show its support to those engaged in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

"It can be observed—in houses, union offices, workplaces (lockdown areas), in streets, junctions, hospitals, police stations, railway stations, banks (unrestricted area)—but compulsorily maintain social distance. There should not be any mass gathering anywhere," instructed BMS general secretary Vrijesh Upadhyay.

EU foreign ministers' meeting

EU foreign ministers are expected to hold a videoconference on Wednesday to discuss the forum's approach to issues including Ukraine with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of April 20, Ukraine has reported about 5,710 cases of COVID-19, including 151 deaths.

2020 Triumph Street Triple RS launch

Triumph Motorcycles is expected to launch its 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS bike on Wednesday. The launch will be done via an online event. The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS has an updated 768cc single-cylinder engine and updated design.

The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS is expected to have a price of Rs 11.13 lakh and will compete against the KTM 790 Duke, the 890 Duke and the Ducati Monster 821.

Motorola Edge+ launch

Motorola is expected to launch its flagship Edge+ phone via an online event at 9.30pm (IST) on Wednesday. The Motorola Edge+ will have a 6.67inch full-HD display. The Motorola Edge+ will have a Snapdragon 865 SoC processor and 12GB of RAM and runs on Android 10.