Doctors Protest for Safety Laws at Jantar Mantar

Doctors in Delhi protested at Jantar Mantar demanding justice for a trainee doctor raped and murdered in Kolkata. They are pressing for a Central Healthcare Protection Act, asserting female doctors' safety is at risk. Protestors criticized slow progress in the case, despite initial interventions.

Doctors in the national capital gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday to protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, asserting that without a central law to protect healthcare workers, female doctors would never feel safe during work.

From 3 pm, protestors demanded justice for the victim of the incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and pressed the government to expedite the enactment of the Central Healthcare Protection Act, according to doctor associations.

Dr. Deepika, a protesting doctor, expressed her fear and determination, stating, 'I will never allow my daughters to become doctors here... Can you imagine that all of us female doctors are scared now? We feel fearful while working, and we need protection. Can you imagine if she was raped and murdered at her workplace?' She added, 'We want protection so that all female doctors can work again without fear.'

Chairman of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Rohan Krishnan said they had earlier called off the protest due to the Supreme Court's intervention. '...despite one arrest, there has been no significant progress in the case. That's why we want to continue our silent protest. We want our female doctors and nurses to feel safe again while working, and justice should be served,' he said.

The apex court constituted a task force to take note of suggestions from all stakeholders while formulating a national protocol for the safety of healthcare professionals, including associations representing resident doctors.

A statement by FAIMA issued on Saturday said it 'is profoundly disturbed by this heinous act, which has not only shattered the medical fraternity but also exposed the alarming vulnerabilities that healthcare professionals face daily.' 'Our fight will continue until justice is served,' said Manish Jangra, founder and chief advisor of FAIMA, adding that members of the Resident Doctors of India (RDA) from hospitals around Delhi-NCR, such as Aligarh and Rohtak, will be part of the protest.

Earlier this month, resident doctors across the country went on an indefinite strike on August 12 after the body of the trainee doctor was found on the premises of the state-run hospital in Kolkata on the morning of August 9.

Following the incident, doctors held the strike for 11 consecutive days, during which all elective services, wards, and OPDs were suspended.

However, after the Supreme Court hearing on August 22, the doctors called off their strike, stating that they will resume work following the court's appeal, assurances and intervention in the RG Kar incident and the safety of doctors.

The key demands of the protest include a prompt and thorough investigation into the crime, ensuring swift justice for the victim and the immediate enactment of the Central Healthcare Protection Act to safeguard the lives and well-being of healthcare workers across the nation.

(With inputs from agencies.)