India Alarmed by Rape and Murder of Doctor in Hospital

Photo : PTI

In a harrowing incident that has shocked India, a 31-year-old female trainee doctor was found dead under brutal circumstances at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, one of the country's oldest hospitals. The doctor, who had retreated to a seminar hall to rest after an exhausting day, was discovered early Friday morning in a half-naked state with severe injuries. Authorities have arrested a hospital volunteer in connection with the crime, which is being investigated as both rape and murder.

The tragic event has ignited widespread outrage, with tens of thousands of women across Kolkata and West Bengal planning to participate in a 'Reclaim the Night' march at midnight on Wednesday. This march, set to occur just before India's Independence Day on Thursday, is a call for "the independence to live in freedom and without fear." The incident has also prompted a significant strike by doctors both in Kolkata and nationwide, demanding the implementation of stricter federal laws to protect healthcare workers.

The assault has cast a harsh light on the persistent issue of violence against healthcare workers in India. Women constitute nearly 30% of the country’s doctors and 80% of the nursing staff, yet they face significant risks. Recent official data highlights a troubling 4% increase in crimes against women in 2022, with over 20% of these cases involving rape and assault. The crime at RG Kar Hospital underscores the severe security lapses present in many state-run health facilities across India.

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At RG Kar Hospital, which serves more than 3,500 patients daily, trainee doctors often work up to 36-hour shifts without designated rest areas, forcing them to sleep in makeshift accommodations like seminar rooms. The suspect arrested in connection with the crime, a patient volunteer with a problematic past, reportedly had unrestricted access to the ward, raising concerns about the lack of background checks and security measures.

Dr. Madhuparna Nandi, a junior doctor at Kolkata’s National Medical College, expressed profound fear and frustration over the incident. She noted that inadequate security has become a norm, forcing doctors to work in environments that compromise their safety. Dr. Nandi shared a personal experience of feeling unsafe during late shifts and described a previous disturbing encounter with intruders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The attack on Friday is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend. The case of Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse raped and left in a vegetative state in 1973, and the recent murder of Vandana Das, a young intern in Kerala, illustrate the ongoing violence faced by healthcare professionals. The environment in overcrowded government hospitals, often lacking proper security, leaves doctors vulnerable to both physical and verbal abuse from patients and their relatives.

Dr. Kamna Kakkar, an anaesthetist from Haryana, recounted a traumatic incident where she was coerced into handing over a controlled drug by armed men during her shift. Dr. Namrata Mitra, a pathologist who studied at RG Kar Medical College, shared her own fears about safety and described a troubling environment in her workplace.

The security situation in hospitals has deteriorated over time, according to Saraswati Datta Bodhak, a pharmacologist from Bankura district, West Bengal. She noted an increase in the presence of anti-social elements and inadequate security measures in hospitals.

Despite the federal government’s 2022 directive to enhance hospital security, including the deployment of trained security forces and installation of CCTV cameras, progress has been slow. RV Asokan, president of the Indian Medical Association, criticized the lack of effective security measures and legal protection for healthcare workers. A 2015 survey by the IMA revealed that 75% of doctors in India have faced some form of violence at work.

The recent tragedy has intensified calls for action, but many remain skeptical about meaningful change. As Dr. Mitra pointed out, there is a prevailing expectation for doctors to endure abuse as part of their job, casting a grim outlook on the future of hospital security in India.

Aug. 14, 2024 12:23 p.m. 508

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