The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has urgently petitioned the Supreme Court following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The tragic incident, which occurred on August 9, has sparked nationwide protests and raised significant concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.
In its application filed on Wednesday, FAIMA lauded the Chief Justice of India for addressing the difficult working conditions of resident doctors and pledged support for ongoing efforts to enhance their safety. FAIMA’s petition calls for immediate security enhancements, including installing CCTV cameras in sensitive hospital areas and ensuring compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013. The association also demands a 24×7 distress call facility to provide prompt assistance.
The application highlights the need for a National Task Force, with representation from resident doctors, to address real-time safety issues and create comprehensive guidelines for hospital safety. FAIMA is seeking urgent interim measures such as better bed-to-doctor ratios and secure resting areas until the task force’s recommendations are fully implemented.
The Supreme Court has already constituted a 10-member National Task Force, including Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, to tackle violence against medical professionals and improve working conditions. FAIMA remains hopeful that the court’s intervention will lead to effective measures, ensuring the safety and dignity of healthcare workers across the country.