Supreme Court Demands Major Doctor Safety Reforms After Kolkata Horror

Supreme Court Demands Major Doctor Safety Reforms After Kolkata Horror

The brutal rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata has deeply affected the nation, prompting the Supreme Court to intervene. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, is currently addressing this case.

Case Overview and Current Investigation

The case, which the CBI is investigating, has raised several critical issues:

• Sanctity of Evidence: Ensuring that all evidence is handled correctly.
• Rule of Law: Upholding legal standards throughout the investigation.
• Safety of Healthcare Professionals: Addressing the vulnerabilities doctors and medical staff face.
• Women’s Security in the Workplace: Tackling broader safety issues for women, particularly in professional settings.

The incident has also put pressure on the ruling Trinamool Congress, as the women’s electorate, a solid support base for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is particularly outraged.

Supreme Court’s Urgent Appeal to Doctors

Amid nationwide strikes by medical professionals protesting the horrific incident, Chief Justice Chandrachud has urged doctors to return to their duties. The Supreme Court emphasized that the ongoing protests are affecting patient care, and the country’s highest court is addressing the safety issue for medical professionals.

Formation of National Task Force

The Supreme Court has established a National Task Force to address these concerns. The task force is charged with developing guidelines to enhance safety for doctors and medical staff across India. The National Task Force will include:

1. Surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian
2. Dr. Reddy, Managing Director of the Asian Institute of National Gastroenterology
3. Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, Delhi
4. Dr. Prathima Moorthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore
5. Dr. Puri, Director of AIIMS, Jodhpur
6. Dr. Ravat, Managing Member of Gangaram Hospital, Delhi
7. Prof. Anita Saxena, Vice Chancellor of Pandit BD Sharma College
8. Dr. Pallavi
9. Dr. Padma Srivastav

Key Recommendations from the Task Force

The task force is expected to focus on several critical areas, including:

1. Emergency Room Security: More security measures should be added in emergency areas.
2. Baggage Screening: Preventing weapons from entering hospitals.
3. Access Control: Restricting access to non-patients.
4. Crowd Management: Enhancing security to handle large crowds.
5. Rest and Gender-Neutral Spaces: Providing appropriate resting areas for doctors and nurses.
6. Technology Integration: Implementing biometrics and facial recognition for security.
7. Improved Lighting and Surveillance: Ensuring well-lit areas and installing CCTV cameras.
8. Transport Security: Providing transport for medical professionals from 10 PM to 6 AM.
9. Grief and Crisis Workshops: Conducting workshops to manage trauma and crisis.
10. Safety Audits: Performing quarterly audits of safety measures.
11. Police Presence: Establishing a police force proportionate to hospital footfall.
12. POSH Act Compliance: Forming Internal Complaints Committees as mandated by the POSH Act.
13. Emergency Helpline: Setting up a dedicated helpline for medical professionals.

♦Also Read| Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder: Mamata’s Response, CBI Inquiry, and the Outcry for Justice

Supreme Court’s Observations and Concerns

The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over several issues:

• Delay in FIR Filing: Questions were raised about the delay in filing the FIR and the body’s handling.
• Media Coverage: The court noted the inappropriate dissemination of the victim’s name and images in the media.
• Systemic Safety Issues: Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that the case highlights systemic issues regarding the safety of doctors across India.

The Supreme Court considers this case a critical opportunity to address and reform institutional safety standards, particularly for young doctors.