Following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata, people are taking to the streets and the internet demanding urgent workplace safety reforms.
As India gets ready to celebrate its 78th Independence Day, the recent tragic events in Kolkata have left people questioning the significance of the celebration. On August 9th, a female trainee doctor's body was found at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital after she was brutally raped and murdered. In an attempt to demand justice and accountability from the authorities, various junior doctors have ceased their services to continue their protest. This horrible incident has triggered widespread anger across India making people question our commitment to the values of pride and freedom that we often discuss.
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Apart from the outrage, this incident has also made the internet voice their concerns about the lack of workplace safety, demanding stricter measures. Doctors who are continuing their strike took to the internet to share their experiences of the mistreatment they endured throughout their careers. Along with long shifts, hectic schedules, and a lack of resources, doctors have pointed out the violence, harassment, and threats they have faced in hospitals. They also point out how these issues have been normalized and rarely discussed. Some have expressed frustration of being expected to experience these hardships because their seniors did too.
Earlier this week, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) sent a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, expressing their shock over the recent incident. The IMA urged the health ministry to revisit the Draft Legislation of the "Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill 2019" with necessary amendments before introducing it in Parliament. The tragic incident brought attention to the urgent need for stronger security measures in hospitals and other workplaces, with calls for better access controls, increased surveillance, and improved support systems for anyone facing harassment. In response, representatives from the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association met with JP Nadda to discuss these concerns and present demands to improve the work conditions of doctors in both private and government healthcare settings.
It's unfortunate that it took a brutal incident like this to start a conversation about basic safety and respect in the workplace. As troubling as the fact that this incident is just one of many may sound, it only shows people's resilience to use their platforms to demand justice.
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