Govt Assures Committee For Doctors' Safety, Appeals To Protesting Medics For 'Larger Public Interest'

In response to concerns over healthcare professional safety, the Union Health Ministry will establish a committee to propose safety measures.

A doctor ties a bland band to a collegue in protest during the 24-hour nationwide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding justice for the woman doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Srinagar, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

Source : PTI

The Union Health Ministry announced on Saturday that a committee will be set up to propose measures to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals. Representatives from all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, will be invited to contribute their suggestions to the committee.

In its press release, the ministry has urged doctors across the country, who are protesting over the alleged rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, to return to work in the public's interest, especially given the increasing cases of dengue and malaria. "The Ministry requested the agitating doctors to resume their duties in the larger public interest and in view of the rising cases of Dengue and Malaria," the release informed.

After the Kolkata incident, representatives from the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and resident doctors' associations from government medical colleges and hospitals in Delhi met with the Union health minister. The associations presented their demands for improved safety and security of healthcare workers in their workplaces.

In response, the ministry assured the doctors' associations that all possible efforts would be made to enhance the security of healthcare professionals. The representatives were informed that the government is fully aware of the situation and is responsive to their concerns.

It was noted that 26 states have already passed laws to protect healthcare workers. Given the concerns expressed by the associations, the ministry also assured them of forming a committee to suggest all such possible measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. "Representatives of all stakeholders, including the state governments, will be invited to share their suggestions with the committee," the statement said. 

This comes after the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for the implementation of a central law to designate hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security measures. The IMA announced a 24-hour suspension of services by all modern medicine doctors across the country, regardless of their sector or place of work.

'Everybody Is Concerned About West Bengal Incident': Kiren Rijiju

Showing concern over the Kolkata incident, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed on Saturday that the concern over the rape and murder of the doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital extends beyond the healthcare community, affecting everyone.

"There is concern over safety and security all along after the Kolkata incident. It is not a matter of medical staff alone and it is a matter of security for all. Everybody is concerned about the West Bengal incident. There is also anger over the incident. The Health Ministry has taken whatever steps required," he said, PTI reported.

The postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered when she was on duty at the RG Kar MCH last week. During a demonstration protesting the horrific incident in the early hours of August 15, a mob vandalised parts of the hospital.