BENGALURU: The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of NIMHANS has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding urgent implementation of a central law to protect health workers. The demand comes in the wake of the Kolkata rape and murder cases followed by attacks on health workers during a peaceful protest on Independence Day.
In its letter, the RDA stressed that the safety of healthcare providers is under increasing threat and that cases of violence against doctors are on the rise. The RDA attributed this increasing violence to the lack of clear and enforceable legal consequences.
The members stressed that the recent incidents have highlighted the enormous security concerns faced by healthcare providers in hospitals. The doctors’ association made two main demands: the adoption of a central ordinance to protect healthcare workers and facilities, and the restoration of law and order at RG Kar Medical College by ensuring prompt and appropriate prosecution of the perpetrators.
They said the strike would continue with suspension of elective clinical services at NIMHANS, only emergency services would continue.
Deploy armed security personnel in hospitals, says Dr Manjunath
MYSURU: Former director and MP of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Dr CN Manjunath said after the rape and murder of the Kolkata medical college resident, there were discussions to deploy armed security personnel in the country’s hospitals to ensure safety of doctors, students and staff. Addressing an event here on Monday, Manjunath said as director of Jayadeva Hospital in 2016, he deployed armed security personnel at the emergency and casualty ward in Bengaluru at night to protect doctors, students and staff. “This concept is being adopted across the country to ensure a safe environment for doctors and staff,” he said. We cannot provide good healthcare with just buildings and equipment, we need good staff too. The staff shortage needs to be addressed to provide quality healthcare.”
