The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the brutal murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. In this, IMA has written that “On August 9, a post graduate student of RG Kar Medical College was brutally raped and murdered while on duty. This incident has shocked the medical fraternity and the entire country. On August 15, a mob vandalized the hospital, vandalizing many parts of the hospital including the incident site. Due to the nature of the profession, doctors, especially female doctors, are vulnerable to violence. It is the job of the officers to ensure the safety of doctors inside hospitals and premises. The incident at RG Kar Medical College has exposed violence in hospitals.
In a letter to PM Modi, IMA said that “due to lack of safe places for women, crimes are taking place on a large scale.” Lack of security protocols leads to vandalism. This crime and barbarity has shaken the conscience of the entire country. Today, doctors across the country have provided services only in emergencies.
IMA has made these demands in the letter written to PM Modi…
1. The amendments of 2020 in the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property in Healthcare Personal and Clinical Institutions Bill-2019) were included in the draft and became a Central Act. This will strengthen 25 states.
2. The security protocols of all hospitals should not be less than that of any airport. Hospitals should be declared safe zones with mandatory security rights. CCTV, deployment of security personnel and protocol should be followed in hospitals.
3. The victim was doing 36-hour duty shifts, hence there is a need for drastic changes in the working and living conditions of the resident doctors due to lack of rest rooms as well as safe places to take rest.
4. Any crime should be investigated carefully and professionally within the stipulated time frame, and justice should be provided.
5. Appropriate and respectable compensation should be given to the bereaved family.
Protest is not over yet: IMA
Regarding formation of the committee by the government, IMA said that the protest is not over yet. Also said that we are studying the statement issued by the Union Health Ministry. In which doctors have been assured of making every possible effort to ensure safety and it has been offered to form a committee to suggest measures to ensure the safety of doctors. The Indian Medical Association will respond after careful consideration of all aspects and discussions with its state branch.