Healthcare Associations Meet with Union Health Ministry, Demand Action on Safety Following Kolkata Incident
In the wake of the tragic assault on a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, representatives from the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and Resident Doctors’ Associations from government medical institutions in Delhi met with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in New Delhi. The meeting addressed urgent concerns regarding the safety and security of healthcare workers.
The associations outlined their demands, urging immediate action to protect medical professionals at their workplaces. The health ministry acknowledged the severity of the situation and expressed its commitment to taking necessary steps to enhance the safety of healthcare workers. According to ministry representatives, 26 states have already enacted legislation to safeguard medical professionals, and the government remains receptive to additional protective measures.
In response to the associations’ concerns, the ministry announced plans to form a committee that will explore comprehensive strategies for ensuring healthcare professionals’ safety. The committee will invite suggestions from all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, to develop effective solutions.
The ministry also urged doctors currently protesting to resume their duties, given the surge in dengue and malaria cases across the country.
On Saturday, IMA President Dr. Asokan emphasized the need for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the matter. He indicated that the IMA would be formally writing to the Prime Minister, aligning their request with his recent emphasis on women’s safety during his August 15 speech.
Dr. Asokan also highlighted the widespread protests by doctors across various sectors—government, private, and corporate—reflecting a united front against the injustice in Kolkata. The response has been overwhelming. This protest has drawn international attention because it addresses the critical issue of women’s safety, not just for doctors but for all working women,” he noted.
The nationwide strike announced by the IMA saw protests at AIIMS Delhi, where doctors held a march demanding justice. IMA Secretary-General Dr. Anil Kumar J Nayak expressed hope that the government would introduce a Central Protection Act to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
The August 9 incident, in which a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College, sparked a nationwide outcry. The protests intensified following an attack on the hospital campus by a mob, leading to widespread vandalism and forcing security personnel to intervene.
