Safety for Doctors: Urgent Reforms Still Awaited After RG Kar Tragedy

Addressing Ongoing Risks and Ensuring Doctor's Safety

According to the Indian Medical Association, up to 75% of doctors in India have encountered workplace violence, which is similar to rates reported in other Asian countries like China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh (Representative Image: Unsplash)

Published on:

24 Jan 2025, 1:27 pm

The tragic incident of rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital On August 9, 2024,, Kolkata threw a clear light on the persistent safety issues faced by medical professionals in India. Despite nationwide protests and promises of reforms, significant increases in security, particularly in hospitals in Chandigarh, remain elusive.

Event Insight

On August 9, 2024, the body of a 31-year-old trainee doctor was found in RGKar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A subsequent investigation led to the conviction of a police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, who was sentenced to life in prison for the crime. The incident sparked widespread protests in the medical community, calling for improved safety measures for healthcare professionals.

Protests and demands Implementation of partial measures

While some steps have been taken to address these concerns, they fall short of the comprehensive reforms promised. At GMCH-32, lights have been installed in previously unlit areas, and emergency contact numbers are now displayed throughout the hospital. Additionally, a security guard is assigned to the emergency ultrasound room during night shifts. However, important measures such as the installation of CCTV cameras and an increase in security personnel are still "in progress", according to Dr. AK. Attari, Director Principal of GMCH-32.

We had submitted nearly 18 demands to the hospital administration. They had asked for CCTV cameras to be installed at the entry of each ward, increase security personnel by 25% and have controlled access gates at the DDR, more lighting for shady areas, and 24x7 guard duty in the emergency, among others.

Dr Anup Kumar, Joint Secretary of Resident Doctors Association Government Medical College and Hospital

After the Kolkata incident, doctors across India mobilized to advocate for better security in medical institutions. In Chandigarh, resident doctors of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32 presented a list of 18 demands to the hospital management. These include the installation of CCTV cameras at ward entrances, a 25% increase in security personnel, controlled access to doctors' duty rooms (DDR), lighting in dimly lit areas, and 24/7 emergency departments. Guard presence included.

Implementation of partial measures

In the United States, studies from the 1980s indicated that more than half of emergency care workers had been threatened with a weapon. In the UK, nearly half of doctors have reported experiencing some form of aggression. (Representative Image: Unsplash)

Ongoing Challenges

Despite the initial outcry and subsequent promises, implementation of comprehensive security measures has been slow. Resident doctors continue to express concern over inadequate safety protocols, highlighting that their demands have not yet been fully met. The lack of timely action indicates a systemic problem within hospital administration and government agencies in prioritizing the safety of medical professionals.

From providing efficient lighting for all areas at night, to additional security, panic button, etc, we are working on the issues. Not just security measures, but all the necessary steps are being taken that need to be in place for doctors’ security. Some measure are short-term while others are long-term.

Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (administration) of PGIMER

The Outcome to be Implemented

Subsequent events of R.G. The Kar Medical College tragedy show a troubling inertia in addressing the safety concerns of doctors in India. Although some initiatives have been initiated, the pace and scope of implementation to ensure a safe working environment for healthcare professionals is insufficient. It is imperative for hospital management and government authorities to expedite the adoption of comprehensive safety protocols to prevent future tragedies and fulfill commitments made in the wake of such incidents.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)

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