Doctors in India Demand Safer Working Conditions Amid Protests

Doctors in India Protest for Safer Working Conditions

In a significant show of solidarity, over two dozen doctors in India have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike, now entering its second week. This wave of protests is part of a nationwide movement triggered by the tragic therapeutic killing of a medical resident in August. The situation has escalated, with reports indicating that six of the protesting doctors are consuming only water and have required hospitalization due to their deteriorating health, as confirmed by a doctors’ group formed in the aftermath of the incident. Alarmingly, at least two of these doctors are currently in critical condition.

The horrific incident occurred on August 9, when the lifeless body of a female doctor was discovered in a seminar room at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, a government-run institution in Kolkata, where she was completing her residency. Local media reports indicated that she suffered multiple injuries, including a broken neck. Under Indian law, the identity of the 31-year-old victim cannot be disclosed due to privacy regulations regarding sexual assault cases.

The brutal killing has sent shockwaves across India, a country grappling with pervasive violence against women. It has galvanized thousands of medical professionals who are demanding a comprehensive investigation to ensure justice for the victim. Moreover, they are advocating for enhanced safety measures in government hospitals, where resident doctors frequently endure exhausting, multi-day shifts.

The investigation, initially conducted by the state of West Bengal, has now been transferred to a federal investigative agency. However, according to Dr. Sunanda Ghosh, a member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front—an organization established in response to the tragic incident—there has been minimal progress in the inquiry.

The protests have gained momentum in recent weeks, with doctors across the nation highlighting other systemic issues plaguing government-run hospitals, including rampant corruption. The gruesome murder has ignited widespread demonstrations demanding a safer work environment for healthcare professionals.

“Our colleague was very vocal about corruption in the workplace,” Dr. Ghosh stated. “We also want to uncover the true motive behind her murder.”

In Kolkata alone, 14 doctors initiated hunger strikes this month, while others in cities like Lucknow have joined the movement. Many doctors are participating in relay fasting, taking turns to protest during their shifts. In West Bengal, resident doctors are calling for the removal of senior health bureaucrats and are demanding police protection within medical colleges to safeguard against potential assaults from aggrieved relatives of patients.

A significant concern for many doctors revolves around institutionalized corruption, particularly in the selection process for highly competitive residency programs. Additionally, they have voiced their frustration regarding the numerous vacant positions in hospitals, which further exacerbates their already heavy workloads.

Divyansh Singh, a medical resident from Lucknow, recently completed a 66-hour hunger strike. “While discussions about enhancing security measures in medical colleges were ongoing, the incidents of assaults on doctors have surged in the past two months,” Dr. Singh remarked. “We are resolute in our demands for justice, and we will continue our fight regardless of the challenges.”

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