Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Resident doctors to protest in Delhi

Resident doctors from various major hospitals in Delhi are set to protest outside Bengal Bhawan in the national capital on Wednesday This demonstration aims to demand justice for a trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital reported news agency PTIThe protest was organised by the Joint Delhi Resident Doctors Association RDA Action Committee which announced the event late Tuesday nightThe participating resident doctors are from AIIMS Safdarjung Hospital RML Hospital GTB Hospital Maulana Azad Medical College and Lady Hardinge Medical College with the protest scheduled for 6 pm on WednesdayThis protest is part of a larger movement that began on August 12 with a nationwide strike against the tragic incident involving the trainee doctor The strike lasted until August 22 as it was temporarily halted after the Supreme Court assured that justice would be expedited RDA statedHowever the investigation has stalled with no action taken report ATR shared publicly as was highlighted during a recent Supreme Court hearing a statement by RDA said stated PTIThe RDA emphasised that this case has spotlighted the safety of healthcare workers particularly female doctors An RDA representative stated We suspended our strike in good faith trusting the process but now we feel betrayedThe lack of communication and delayed action shows an alarming lack of sensitivity toward our safety concerns the representative saidDuring a hearing on August 20 the Supreme Court established a National Task Force NTF to address safety issues within healthcare settings An interim report was expected within three weeks with a final report due within two monthsHowever over 50 days have passed without any updates leading to frustration among resident doctors who feel their concerns are being overlooked the statement saidThe statement from the RDA also criticised the West Bengal government for failing to reassure protesting junior doctors many of whom are currently on a hunger strikeThe Joint Delhi Resident Doctors Association RDA Action Committee plans to hold a press conference on Thursday to discuss these pressing issues They have made it clear that if any harm comes to healthcare workers as a result of this ongoing protest they will withdraw from both elective and emergency services and hold the appropriate authorities accountable the statement saidThe junior doctors at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have been protesting since August 9 following the alleged rape and murder of their colleagueAfter initially ceasing work for 42 days and ending their stir on September 21 due to government assurances they resumed protests with a hunger strike on October 5 when their demands went unaddressedHowever on October 5 the junior medics began a hunger strike at the Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala in the heart of Kolkata claiming that the West Bengal government did not fulfil their demandsThe doctors key demands include securing justice for the murdered medic immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam accountability for alleged administrative incompetence and action against corruption in the departmentOther demands include a central referral system better hospital infrastructure bed vacancy monitoring and improved oncall rooms and washroomsAdditionally they seek increased police protection in hospitals recruitment of permanent women police personnel the swift filling of healthcare workers and the formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions for CCTVWith inputs from PTI