India’s Top Court Sets Up Task Force to Ensure Safety of Healthcare Workers
India’s top court has established a national task force of doctors to make recommendations on the safety of healthcare workers in their workplaces. This decision comes in the wake of the recent rape and killing of a trainee doctor, which has sparked outrage and protests across the country.
The Supreme Court announced that the doctors’ panel would be responsible for creating guidelines to ensure the safety and protection of medical professionals and healthcare workers nationwide.
Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud emphasized the importance of safeguarding the safety of doctors and women doctors, stating that it is a matter of national interest and equality. He stressed that the nation cannot afford to wait for another tragic incident to take action.
Since the incident in Kolkata on August 9th, doctors and medics across India have been actively protesting and raising awareness about the vulnerability of healthcare workers in hospitals and medical campuses.
The tragic event at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and killed, has also brought attention to the ongoing issue of violence against women. A police volunteer has been arrested and charged in connection with the crime.
Thousands of people, especially women, have taken to the streets of Kolkata demanding justice for the doctor. Despite strict laws implemented after the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student in Delhi, incidents of violence against women in India continue to rise.
Despite efforts to strengthen legislation and impose harsher penalties for crimes against women, sexual violence remains a pervasive issue in India. In 2022, police reported a 20% increase in rape cases compared to the previous year, underscoring the urgent need for continued action to address this critical issue.
