Kolkata: Medical Fraternity Stages Protests After Trainee Doctor’s Tragic Death
Kolkata witnessed a wave of protests involving junior doctors, trainee doctors, and medical students on August 12, 2024, in response to the sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The protests underscored the growing concerns regarding the safety of medical staff within workplace premises.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urgently appealed to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to enact a special central law aimed at curbing violence and attacks on doctors, proposing hospitals be declared safe zones. The IMA emphasized that existing state laws have been largely ineffective in protecting medical practitioners, advocating for the earlier suggested "Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019" to be reconsidered and integrated with the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020.
Doctors, paramedics, and medical students illuminated their phone flashlights during protests at RG Kar Medical College, further pressing for immediate action. The draft Bill, initially proposed in 2019 but shelved by the Home Ministry, included sentences of up to 10 years for individuals found guilty of assaulting healthcare professionals. In light of the tragedy, the IMA issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the arrest of those involved in the Kolkata case, warning of a countrywide stir.
The IMA’s communication also painted a grim picture of the prevailing conditions, citing pedestrian working environments, overwhelming workloads, and recurrent violence faced by doctors. The association called for significant safety reforms, including declaring hospitals safe zones, and mandating police camps and proper security in major hospitals. Additionally, compulsory installation of CCTV cameras at vulnerable points was recommended.
The IMA’s demands extend to the West Bengal government, insisting on a thorough investigation and stringent action against the perpetrators. The association conveyed a strong message that necessary reforms are critical to prevent further such heinous incidents within medical institutions. If effective measures are not instituted, the medical community fears this tragedy will not be the last.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-indian-medical-association-demands-special-central-law-to-curb-attacks-on-medical-staff/article68518184.ece
Category : Kolkata
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