India sets up National Task Force on Healthcare Safety after the killing of a female doctor
Security measures are being beefed up at a government hospital in Kolkata, India, following the shocking assault and murder of a female intern, an incident that has made headlines across the country.
In response to nationwide outrage and protests, the Supreme Court of India established a national task force dedicated to recommending workplace safety protocols for healthcare professionals . The move comes after the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor, raising concerns about sexual violence against women in India.
On August 20, the Supreme Court announced the creation of this task force, which will be responsible for developing comprehensive safety and protection guidelines for healthcare workers across the country. The court directed the task force to submit a preliminary report within three weeks and a detailed report within two months.
The brutal incident took place inside a government hospital in Kolkata, where the young doctor’s bloodied and severely injured body was discovered on August 9. This case once again highlights the ongoing threat of sexual violence against women in India.
Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud emphasized the urgency of protecting doctors, especially female doctors, for the sake of national interest and gender equality. “The country cannot wait for another rape case to act,” he said. If women cannot work safely, we are denying the basic condition of equality.”
In addition to the task force, the Supreme Court ordered the federal police to submit an investigation report by August 22. Furthermore, the court asked federal paramilitary forces to ensure security at the Kolkata hospital, following complaints by female doctors who said they felt unsafe due to the presence of unknown men. identity involved in harassment and vandalism at the hospital.
Healthcare professionals across India have staged protests and refused to treat non-emergency patients, demanding a swift criminal investigation. In response, the Supreme Court called on all doctors to continue their duties.
So far, only one volunteer, who was assigned to help hospitalized families when needed, has been arrested and charged.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s largest doctors’ group with 400,000 members, staged a 24-hour strike over the weekend, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement stricter protective measures. stricter, especially since 60% of Indian doctors are women.
Activists point out that this latest incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of women in India, despite the introduction of tougher laws following the gang rape and murder of a student 23-year-old on a bus in New Delhi in 2012. That horrific crime led to harsher punishments for such heinous acts and the establishment of fast-track courts for rape cases. The government also introduced the death penalty for repeat offenders.
Yet despite tougher laws, sexual violence remains rife in India.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2022, police recorded 31,516 cases of rape, a 20% increase compared to 2021. This alarming increase in the number of reported cases highlights the challenge ongoing awareness in addressing sexual violence in this country.
