As junior doctors across the country continue their protest demanding security after Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, the union health ministry today appealed them to return to work. The govt also assured them all possible efforts to ensure their security.
The representatives of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Resident Doctors’ Associations of Governmental Medical Colleges & Hospitals of Delhi met the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the protests in the aftermath of the rape and murder of a resident doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata.
The Associations placed their demands regarding their concern over the safety and security of healthcare workers at the workplace across the country. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare heard the demands of the representatives in the meeting, and assured them of all possible efforts to ensure the security of healthcare professionals.
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Union Health Ministry assures Doctors of all possible efforts to ensure safety.
A committee to be formed to suggest measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. https://t.co/AKVCmsRJFG
The representatives of all the Associations were informed that the Government is well aware of the situation and is sensitive to their demands. It was further observed that 26 States have already passed legislation for protection of healthcare workers in their respective states.
In view of the concerns expressed by the Associations, the Ministry assured them of constituting a Committee to suggest all such possible measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. Representatives of all stakeholders including the State Governments will be invited to share their suggestions with the Committee.
The Ministry also requested the agitating doctors to resume their duties in the larger public interest and in view of the rising cases of Dengue and Malaria.
Notably, yesterday the union health ministry had issued a memorandum instructing that in case of violence against any on-duty healthcare workers, the Head of Institution would be responsible for filing an FIR within a maximum of 6 hours of the incident.
The Office Memorandum issued on 16th August said, “Recently it has been observed that violence has become common against Doctors and other healthcare staff in Government Hospitals. A number of Health workers suffer physical violence during the course of their duty. Many are threatened or exposed to verbal aggression. Most of this violence is done by either patient or patient’s attendants. In view of above, It is stated that in the event of any violence against any health care worker while on duty, the Head of Institution shall be responsible for filing an Institutional FIR within a maximum of 6 hours of the incident.”
