IMA Applauds Supreme Court's Task Force, Continues Demand for Central Law

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) lauded the Supreme Court's formation of a National Task Force for the protection of medical staff but stressed the need for a central law via ordinance. The task force includes top professionals and aims to ensure safer working conditions and prevent violence against medical personnel.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to establish a National Task Force comprising medical professionals. The IMA expressed its willingness to collaborate with the committee on enhancing safety and security for medical staff. Despite this, the association reiterated its call for a central law to protect medical professionals through an ordinance. A virtual meeting of state presidents and state secretaries is scheduled for 9 p.m. tonight.

The IMA's official notice stated, 'IMA HQs welcomes the intervention by the Hon Supreme Court. IMA will work with the committee on safety and security. The Central Law against violence by an Ordinance remains IMA's demand. IMA HQs meets with all RDAs tomorrow in Delhi. The struggle continues. A meeting of State Presidents and State Secretaries has been called on Zoom platform today at 9 p.m.' The Supreme Court's Task Force, constituted on Tuesday, will recommend measures to prevent violence and ensure safe working conditions for medical professionals.

The task force, which includes Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin among others, was formed following the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, which triggered nationwide protests. The Supreme Court directed the task force to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months. The court also tasked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with providing a status update on the rape case investigation and prompted the West Bengal government to report on the mob attack incident at RG Kar Hospital on August 15.

On Tuesday, the CBI continued investigating the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The CBI received permission to conduct a polygraph test on the arrested suspect and employed 3D laser mapping in the emergency ward. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into financial irregularities at the hospital from January 2021 to date. Prominent artists from Bengal's music industry also protested on Monday, demanding justice for the murdered trainee doctor.

Several artists, including actor Saheb Chatterjee and radio personality Mir Afsar Ali, took to the streets on Monday evening to express their outrage over the incident. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)