The Supreme Court expressed concern on Tuesday over the lack of workplace safety in healthcare institutions and said the country cannot wait for a rape or killing for real changes to take place on the ground. The apex court was hearing a suo-motu case related to the alleged rape and killing of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said nationwide protests following the brutal incident have brought the issue of lack of institutional safety for doctors to the forefront. Medical associations have consistently raised the issue, the court observed while pointing out that medical professionals in the performance of their duties have been unfortunate targets of violence.