In the wake of the tragic rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor in Kolkata, over 70 Padma awardee doctors have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the immediate enactment of a special law to protect healthcare workers. The doctors are calling for stringent safety measures and harsher punishments for those who commit violence against medical professionals, whether verbal or physical.
The incident at Kolkata’s state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked widespread protests and raised concerns about the safety of healthcare personnel. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies are advocating for a central law to ensure the protection of doctors and medical staff.
Prominent signatories of the letter include former Director General of ICMR Dr. Balram Bhargav, former AIIMS Delhi Director Dr. Randeep Guleria, and Dr. S.K. Sarin, Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences. They have urged Prime Minister Modi to personally intervene and address the pressing issue of violence against healthcare workers, particularly in light of the recent incident.
The doctors expressed deep concern and solidarity with the victim’s family, as well as with the medical community, which is increasingly facing threats and violence in the line of duty. They emphasized that the safety and dignity of healthcare professionals must be prioritized and safeguarded.
The letter calls for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and society at large to take immediate and decisive action to prevent such atrocities. The doctors advocate for more rigorous application of existing legal frameworks and the swift enactment of a special law to protect healthcare workers.
A proposed bill, titled The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals, and Medical Institutions Bill, has been ready since 2019 but has yet to be tabled in Parliament. The Padma awardee doctors are urging the government to introduce an ordinance for this bill immediately and ensure its rapid passage and enforcement.
The doctors also stressed that any new legislation should include provisions for severe punishment, including non-bailable offenses, for those who engage in violence against healthcare workers. They believe that swift judicial resolution of such cases is essential to deter future incidents.
The signatories hope that this tragedy will serve as a catalyst for lasting change and that the government will take swift action to protect the medical profession and uphold the dignity of healthcare workers.
Among the notable doctors who signed the letter 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.