Doctors Demand Action on Healthcare Worker Safety

More than 70 doctors who have received the Padma award have sent a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Modi. They’re expressing their deep sadness over a tragic event in Kolkata where a woman trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered.

The doctors are calling for immediate action to protect healthcare workers from violence. They want a strict new law to punish anyone who harms healthcare staff, whether through physical attacks or verbal abuse.

This appeal comes in light of widespread protests following the gruesome incident at R G Kar Medical College. Many in the medical field are demanding better safety measures and a centralized law to safeguard them while they work.

Prominent figures in medicine, including former leaders from AIIMS, have signed the letter, urging PM Modi to personally address this critical situation. They believe that such violent acts shake the very foundations of medical service and highlight a significant need for better protections, especially for women and healthcare workers.

The doctors also mentioned their solidarity with the victim’s family and the medical community who face increasing threats in their line of work. They emphasized that the safety and dignity of healthcare professionals should be a top priority.

Furthermore, they’re calling on law enforcement to enforce existing laws more stringently and ensure that anyone who commits violent acts against healthcare workers faces swift and severe punishment. They stress that cases like this should be resolved quickly and categorized as non-bailable offenses.

In their letter, the Padma awardees remind the Prime Minister that a proposed bill aimed at protecting healthcare workers has been waiting since 2019 and needs urgent attention. They believe quick action, like enacting an ordinance, can help safeguard those who care for the sick and needy without fear.

These doctors are united in their demand for change, believing that the terrible tragedy should be a turning point for real improvements in the protection of medical professionals.