In a decisive move to address the alarming incidents of violence against medical professionals in India, the Supreme Court has mandated the creation of a National Task Force to enhance the safety and working conditions of doctors. This step comes in the wake of a tragic case involving the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which has sparked nationwide protests by the medical community.
Formation of the Task Force
On August 21, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, announced the establishment of a National Task Force to tackle issues related to doctors’ safety. The task force is tasked with submitting an interim report within three weeks and a comprehensive final report within two months. The move highlights the court’s recognition that existing laws and protocols are insufficient to ensure the institutional safety of medical professionals.
The task force will be comprised of distinguished members from the medical field, including:
Dr Ary Serin: Surgeon Vice Admiral
Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy: Chairman and Managing Director at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology
Dr. M. Shas: Director at AIIMS Delhi
Dr. Pratima Murti: Director at NIMHANS Bangalore
Dr. Gohan D. Puri: Executive Director at AMJ
Dr. Sujit Rath: Chairperson at ISG GI & HPB Onco Surgery and Liver Transplantation
Professor Anita Saka: Head of Cardiology at AIIMS Delhi
Professor Pallavi Sapre: Dean of Grant Medical College in Mumbai
Dr. Padma Shasta: Neurology Department at AIIMS
Ex-officio members include:
Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India
Home Secretary to the Government of India
Secretary of the Union Health Ministry
Chairperson of the National Medical Commission
President of the National Board of Examinations
Context of the Supreme Court’s Decision
The decision to set up the task force follows the horrific incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a doctor was brutally raped and murdered on the morning of August 9. This tragedy has ignited widespread strikes and protests within the medical community, reflecting the deepening concern over the safety of healthcare professionals.
Chief Justice Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, took suo motu cognizance of the case, asserting that the country cannot afford to wait for further tragedies before implementing significant changes. The court has expressed frustration with the slow and inadequate response of the West Bengal government and the hospital administration.
Concerns Raised by the Court
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted several key issues:
Inadequate Protection: The court observed that doctors are increasingly vulnerable to violence, with women doctors facing heightened risks due to entrenched patriarchal biases.
Delays in Filing FIRs: The Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal government and RG Kar hospital administration for their delays in filing the FIR related to the case, further compounding the sense of injustice.
Protests and Vandalism: The court condemned the use of force to suppress peaceful protests and expressed disapproval of the midnight vandalism that occurred at the hospital. A mob had caused significant damage to the hospital’s emergency ward during a protest, exacerbating the situation.
The NTF will focus on:
Preventing violence, including gender-based violence, against medical professionals.
Establishing a standardized national protocol for dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents, and non-resident doctors.
Key Action Plan Areas: The action plan will address:
Enhanced security in emergency rooms and ICUs.
Baggage screening at all entrances to prevent weapons from entering.
Prohibition of intoxicated persons on premises unless they are patients.
Deployment of security personnel to manage crowds and grieving individuals.
Separate resting rooms for male and female doctors, nurses, and gender-neutral spaces.
Biometric and facial recognition systems.
Improved lighting and CCTV surveillance.
Travel facilities for medical professionals during late-night shifts.
Counseling and workshops on handling grief and crises.
Regular safety audits.
Increased police presence in areas with high foot traffic.
Implementation of the POSH Act and establishment of an ICC (Internal Complaints Committee) in medical establishments.
24/7 helpline for medical professionals in emergencies.
Next Steps and Implications
The case is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on Thursday, August 22. The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores a broader concern about the systemic issues facing the medical community and the urgent need for robust measures to ensure their safety.
As the task force begins its work, the focus will be on formulating recommendations to address the shortcomings in current laws and practices. The goal is to create a safer working environment for doctors and to prevent future incidents of violence.
The unfolding developments will be closely monitored by the international community, as the outcome may have significant implications for the broader discourse on healthcare safety and workers’ rights.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s proactive stance reflects a critical response to a growing crisis in the medical field. The establishment of the National Task Force represents a crucial step towards addressing the urgent safety concerns of doctors and ensuring that such tragic incidents do not occur in the future.