Expressing deep concern over the Kolkata rape-murder case, more than 70 Padma awardee doctors have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the swift enactment of a special law to address violence against healthcare workers and the implementation of enhanced safety protocols in medical facilities
Renowned medical professionals including Dr. Ashok Vaid, Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Dr. Anoop Misra, Dr. A K Grover, Dr. Alka Kriplani, and Dr. Mohsin Wali have appealed to Prime Minister Modi for his “immediate and personal intervention” to tackle the “alarming” situation. They have suggested that the government immediately introduce an ordinance to ensure the “harshest possible punishment” for those who perpetrate violence against healthcare workers, whether verbal or physical.
The call for action follows widespread protests by healthcare workers and the public after the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, amid accusations of a flawed investigation and cover-up. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical organizations are advocating for a central law to safeguard medics.
The distinguished doctors also called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and better safety measures in hospitals and medical institutions.
Among the signatories to the letter are Dr. Balram Bhargav, former Director General of ICMR, Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS Delhi, and Dr. S K Sarin, Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences.
In their letter, the doctors expressed deep concern over the incident and requested the Prime Minister’s immediate and personal intervention. They emphasized that such acts of violence threaten the very essence of service provided by medical professionals and underscored the urgent need to address violence, particularly against women, girls, and healthcare workers.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with the victim’s family, whose pain and loss are unimaginable. We also extend our full support to the medical community, who are increasingly confronting such violence in the course of their work. The safety and dignity of healthcare professionals must be safeguarded with utmost priority,” the letter stated.
The doctors urged stronger measures to prevent such incidents, calling for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and society to take immediate and decisive action. They highlighted the importance of rigorously applying existing legal frameworks to protect healthcare professionals and advocated for severe and swift penalties to deter such crimes.
The letter also urged the government to implement better safety protocols within healthcare facilities to ensure a secure working environment for all medical staff.
“We urge the central and state governments to quickly enact and implement a separate law for the protection of healthcare workers, ensuring its rapid enforcement on the ground,” the letter said.
The doctors pointed out that a proposed bill, The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions Bill, has been ready since 2019 but has not yet been presented in Parliament for passage and adoption.
“We strongly believe that an ordinance to this effect can be brought immediately, and the bill should be passed post-haste so that all those working in healthcare delivery systems in the country can work without fear, in service of suffering patients,” the letter continued.
The doctors emphasized that the proposed ordinance or bill should mandate the harshest possible punishment for those who commit violence against healthcare workers, whether verbal or physical, with cases resolved swiftly by the judiciary and offenses categorized as non-bailable.
“Let this tragedy serve as a catalyst for real, lasting change. We earnestly appeal to you through this letter to safeguard the medical profession against physical assaults and defacement of the dignity and respect of all healthcare workers,” the letter concluded.
“We owe it to the late Nirbhaya, and to all victims of sexual violence, and to future generations to create a society where such horrors are unthinkable,” the doctors added, expressing hope for swift and decisive action.
Among the signatories are Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Radiologist and Founder of Mahajan Imaging, Dr. Nikhil Tandon, Head of Endocrinology at AIIMS Delhi, Dr. D S Rana, Chairman of Nephrology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Dr. Sandeep Guleria, Transplant Specialist Surgeon.
(With inputs from agency)
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