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In a poignant display of solidarity with the grieving family of a junior doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at a Kolkata hospital, a group of 70 Padma awardee doctors have written a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This collective plea, penned on Sunday, calls for the Prime Minister's personal intervention to address the escalating unrest among doctors nationwide. They advocate for the swift implementation of a dedicated law ensuring the protection of healthcare professionals, recognizing the alarming rise in violence they face in their line of duty.
The letter, echoing the sentiments of the protesting medical community, underscores the urgency of the situation. The doctors, expressing their profound sorrow for the victim's family, emphasize their unwavering support for the medical community who are increasingly becoming targets of violence while performing their vital duties. They present a series of demands, ranging from stricter and time-bound punishments for perpetrators of sexual violence to enhanced safety measures at hospitals.
A core demand, shared by numerous resident doctors' associations like the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association and professional bodies such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA), is the establishment of a dedicated law to safeguard healthcare workers. The Padma awardees echo this sentiment, urging the government to implement the harshest possible penalties for any form of physical or verbal violence directed towards doctors. They also stress the need for stringent enforcement of existing legal provisions.
While a bill aimed at preventing violence against doctors was drafted in 2019 following nationwide protests, it has yet to be tabled in Parliament. The letter to the Prime Minister advocates for the immediate implementation of an ordinance to this effect, followed by expedited passage of the bill. This, they believe, will empower all healthcare workers across the country to perform their duties without fear, dedicated to serving suffering patients.
The 2019 draft proposed rigorous standards, including imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for acts of violence against doctors on duty. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, a signatory and founder of Mahajan Imaging, highlights the unique challenges faced by doctors, necessitating a dedicated law. He emphasizes the often grueling work schedules, requiring doctors to work for up to 36 hours at a stretch, sometimes without access to proper rest facilities. This, coupled with the potential need to travel long distances to reach work, exposes them to heightened vulnerability. The alarming frequency of incidents in recent years underscores the critical need for urgent action.
Dr. Yash Gulati, another signatory and prominent orthopaedic surgeon, shares the sentiment, stating that the Kolkata incident was a catalyst for the collective call to action by the Padma awardees. He acknowledges that while distress or perceived negligence may sometimes fuel anger, violence is never the answer. He stresses the importance of providing alternative avenues for recourse while emphasizing the fundamental right of doctors to feel safe in their workplace.
The letter concludes with a poignant call for lasting change, inspired by the memory of Nirbhaya, a symbol of the struggle against sexual violence. The Padma awardees urge a society where such horrors are unthinkable, a society where the safety and well-being of healthcare workers are paramount. Their collective voice, resonating with the concerns of the entire medical community, serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and effective measures to protect those who dedicate their lives to serving humanity.
Source: Padma awardee docs seek law to protect healthcare workers