Th Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) constituted a 10-member National Task Force to develop a protocol ensuring the safety and well-being of doctors across the country.
The decision comes in response to the alarming rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which has triggered widespread protests and highlighted serious security lapses in healthcare institutions.
Urgent need for reforms
The Supreme Court, while hearing a suo motu case on the incident, underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect healthcare professionals, especially women. The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressed deep concern over the safety of doctors, pointing out that if women are unable to work in secure environments, it constitutes a denial of their fundamental right to equality.
The newly formed task force is tasked with formulating a comprehensive national protocol to safeguard doctors and ensure they have safe working conditions. The Court emphasized that this protocol must be robust and enforceable across all healthcare institutions in the country.\
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Response to systemic failures
The Supreme Court’s decision to establish the task force reflects its recognition of the broader issues raised by the Kolkata incident. During the hearing, the SC sharply criticised the West Bengal government for its failure to maintain law and order and protect the crime scene. The Court also questioned how a mob of thousands was able to enter RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, further compromising the safety of healthcare workers.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, highlighted the severity of the situation by pointing out that a mob of 7,000 people could not have entered the hospital without the knowledge of the Kolkata police. The top court also took note of the hospital’s response, particularly the actions of its principal, who is alleged to have tried to dismiss the crime as a suicide.
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Impact on healthcare services
The incident has led to widespread protests by junior doctors across West Bengal, severely disrupting health services in the state. The protesting doctors have demanded justice for their deceased colleague and called for improved security measures at their workplaces. The agitation has resulted in long queues of patients at several government-run hospitals, where senior doctors and assistant professors have been managing the outpatient departments.
Broader Implications
The Supreme Court’s intervention is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the systemic vulnerabilities faced by healthcare professionals in India. The task force’s recommendations are expected to have far-reaching implications for the safety protocols in hospitals and other medical institutions, aiming to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The top court has directed the CBI to file a status report by August 22 on its investigation into the Kolkata case. The West Bengal government has also been asked to provide a report on the progress of its probe into the mob attack on RG Kar hospital by the same date.
