Doctors’ protests against the gruesome rape and murder case in Calcutta continue.
Photo: PTI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The doctors demanded “immediate and personal intervention” from Prime Minister Modi to resolve the “alarming” situation.
- The renowned doctors called on Prime Minister Modi to pass a corresponding law by ordinance.
- “Let this tragedy serve as a catalyst for real, lasting change,” they said.
New Delhi: Expression of grief over the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor in Calcutta, over 70 Padma Award Winner Doctors have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special law to combat violence against medical personnel and the introduction of improved safety protocols in medical facilities. “May we use this tragedy as a catalyst for real, lasting change,” they said.
The renowned doctors demanded “immediate and personal intervention” from Prime Minister Modi to end the “alarming” situation. They suggested that the central government should immediately issue an ordinance to ensure the “harshest possible punishment” for those guilty of verbal or physical violence against healthcare workers.
“We, the Padma Award-winning doctors, write to you with deep concern and deep anguish over the terrible events that have recently occurred in R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata. As the leader of our nation, we urge you to intervene immediately and personally to counter this alarming situation,” the letter said. The signatories include renowned doctors such as former Director General of ICMR Dr. Balram Bhargav, former Director of AIIMS Delhi Dr. Randeep Guleria and Dr. SK Sarin, Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences.
The letter comes at a time when doctors across the country are taking part in protests against the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Doctors’ associations such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) are pushing for a central law to ensure safety of medical professionals.
“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, which is increasingly confronted with such violence in the course of its work. The safety and dignity of medical personnel must be protected with the highest priority,” the letter said.
The doctors stressed the urgent need for law enforcement authorities to implement existing legislation to protect medical personnel and called for strict and swift punishments to deter such crimes.
Pointing out that a corresponding draft law has been on the table since 2019, the renowned doctors called on Prime Minister Modi to pass it by ordinance.
“A draft law, the ‘Act on the Prevention of Violence against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions’, has been pending since 2019, but has not yet been submitted to Parliament for adoption and acceptance. We firmly believe that a corresponding regulation can be issued immediately and the draft law should be passed as soon as possible so that all those working in the country’s health care system can work without fear in serving suffering patients,” the letter said.
Cases of violence against doctors must be resolved quickly by the justice system. The corresponding crimes must be classified as non-bailable, the letter states.
“We owe it to the late Nirbhaya, to all victims of sexual violence and to future generations to create a society in which such atrocities are unthinkable,” the doctors said, expressing hope for swift and decisive action.
The honored doctors include Radiologist and Founder & Managing Director of Mahajan Imaging Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Dr. Nikhil Tandon, Head, Department of Endocrinology, AIIMS, Delhi, Dr. DS Rana, Chairman, Department of Nephrology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Dr. Dr. Sandeep Guleria, Transplant Specialist.
With contributions from PTI
