Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Health ministry to form panel on safety measures for healthcare professionals

NEW DELHI: In view of the safety concerns raised by the medical fraternity following the Kolkata rape-murder case, the ministry of health has given assurance to form a committee for suggesting safety measures for the healthcare professionals. The state governments and representatives of all those concerned will be invited by the union health ministry to share their suggestions with the panel.

The decision came after the representatives of Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) of governmental medical colleges and hospitals of Delhi met the ministry officials to present their demands, several days after a female trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital leading to public outrage and nation-wide protests.

“The Associations have put forth their demands regarding their concern over the safety and security of healthcare workers at the workplace. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has heard the demands of the representatives and assured them of all possible efforts to ensure the security of healthcare professionals. The representatives of all the Associations were informed that the Government is well aware of the situation and is sensitive to their demands,” the health ministry said in an official statement.

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The union health ministry further informed that 26 states have already passed legislation for protection of healthcare workers and asked the agitating doctors to resume their duties “in the larger public interest and in view of the rising cases of Dengue and Malaria.”

In the latest developments, the state police has arrested 19 persons in connection with the recent vandalism at the medical college by some miscreants while junior doctors were protesting under the banner ‘Reclaim the Night’.