Rape and murder of doctor in hospital sparks protests in India
Tragic Incident Highlights Security Risks for Doctors in India
Kolkata Doctor Case Early on Friday morning, a 31-year-old female trainee doctor at one of India’s oldest hospitals was found dead in a seminar hall. She had retired to sleep after a grueling day at Kolkata’s 138-year-old RG Kar Medical College, and was discovered the next morning with severe injuries. Police have arrested a hospital volunteer in connection with the case, which is being investigated as a rape and murder.
In response to this tragic event, tens of thousands of women in Kolkata and West Bengal are expected to join a ‘Reclaim the Night’ march at midnight on Wednesday, just before India’s Independence Day. The march will demand “the independence to live in freedom and without fear.” Outraged doctors across India have also gone on strike, calling for stricter federal laws to protect medical professionals.
This incident has drawn attention to the increasing violence against healthcare workers in India. Reports have highlighted the frequent assaults on doctors by patients and their relatives. Women, who represent nearly 30% of doctors and 80% of nursing staff in India, face heightened risks.
Security Concerns at RG Kar Medical College
The crime at RG Kar Medical College has exposed the serious security risks faced by medical staff in many state-run health facilities. The hospital, which serves over 3,500 patients daily, does not have designated rest rooms for overworked trainee doctors, forcing them to rest in a third-floor seminar room. Reports suggest the arrested suspect, a volunteer with a troubled history, had unrestricted access to the ward, and no background checks were conducted.
Madhuparna Nandi, a junior doctor at Kolkata’s National Medical College, shared her own security challenges. Her hospital lacks designated rest rooms and separate toilets for female doctors, and she often has to use patient or nurse facilities. She recounted a distressing incident from 2021 when men barged into her room during the Covid pandemic, highlighting the pervasive insecurity faced by doctors.
Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges
This recent case is not isolated. The most notable previous case is that of Aruna Shanbaug, a Mumbai nurse who was left in a persistent vegetative state after being raped in 1973. More recently, 23-year-old intern Vandana Das was fatally stabbed by a patient in Kerala last year. Overcrowded government hospitals, with their unrestricted access, often lead to violent encounters with patients’ relatives.
Dr. Kamna Kakkar, an anaesthetist in Haryana, recounted a disturbing experience from the pandemic when men forced their way into the ICU demanding drugs. Similarly, Kolkata-based pathologist Namrata Mitra described feeling unsafe while working alone and taking her father with her for security.
Lack of Effective Protections
Security for doctors in India remains inadequate. Despite some states implementing private security measures and the federal government’s 2022 recommendations for enhanced hospital security, progress has been slow. A 2015 survey by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) revealed that 75% of doctors in India have faced workplace violence, with few convictions for such crimes.
Dr. RV Asokan, president of the IMA, criticized the lack of stringent federal laws protecting healthcare workers, while Saraswati Datta Bodhak, a pharmacologist, noted the prevalence of anti-social elements and poor security in hospital campuses.
Despite the ongoing protests and calls for reform, many doctors remain skeptical about real changes. Dr. Mitra expressed a grim outlook, suggesting that doctors are expected to endure abuse as part of their job, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure their safety..
