Delhi Healthcare Workers Demand Justice for Kolkata Doctor's Rape, Murder

Several women medics carried placards reading "I don't want to be the next victim" during a march on Saturday. They protested against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata last week.

Hundreds of medics, including doctors and resident doctors, began their march from Lady Hardinge Medical College. They wore stethoscopes over their white aprons. This was the sixth day of their agitation, demanding a central law to prevent violence against healthcare personnel.

Protests Disrupt Non-Emergency Services

Non-emergency services, such as OPD and diagnostics, and elective surgeries at city-based health facilities, including AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and RML Hospital, have been disrupted since Monday. The inconvenience for patients increased as private institutions like Sir Ganga Ram, Fortis, and Apollo also joined the protests on Sunday. This followed a call by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services.

A patient from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, who had an appointment at GTB Hospital, said, "I came to the hospital on Tuesday but was told that doctors were on strike. It has been more than five days since doctors ceased work. I am going back as there is no point waiting." Sarjeena, who contracted an infection a few months after her delivery, came for a check-up but was told only emergency patients are being treated.

Demands for Central Protection Act

Earlier in the day, doctors at Safdarjung and RML hospitals held a silent protest march wearing black ribbons. At Jantar Mantar, medics conducted a candlelight march and raised slogans like "We want justice," "Hang the rapist," and "We want protection."

The Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) communicated to the AIIMS-Delhi director: "As you are aware, in light of the heinous incident that occurred at R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata, involving a resident doctor, the residents of our institute are on strike. We demand the urgent implementation of a Central Protection Act to ensure a safe environment for practising doctors."

Government Response

The Union health ministry released an official statement on Saturday. It announced that a committee will be formed to suggest measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. Representatives from all stakeholders, including state governments, will be invited to share their suggestions with the committee.

The ministry requested agitating doctors across the country to resume their duties in the larger public interest. This request comes in view of rising dengue and malaria cases.

The IMA sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for implementing its demands. These include overhauling working and living conditions for resident doctors and enacting a central law to prevent violence against healthcare personnel at workplaces. They also called for hospitals to be declared safe zones with mandatory security entitlements.

Resident Doctors' Response

Responding to the ministry's statement, AIIMS Resident Doctors Association (RDA) said it lacks confidence and trust. They noted that similar committees have been formed in the past without significant progress or relevant legislation being passed.

"It was decided unanimously to continue the strike as our demands remain unaddressed," said the RDA in a statement. They added that academic activities, elective OPDs, ward services, and OT services would be halted while maintaining emergency services, ICUs, emergency procedures, and emergency OT.

The IMA also demanded meticulous investigation into last week's incident in Kolkata and appropriate compensation for the bereaved family.

The protestors held an approximately 25-minute sit-in at Connaught Place before police removed barricades allowing them to proceed to Jantar Mantar for their candlelight march.