Kolkata Doctor Rape Case: IMA Chief meets JP Nadda, calls for central law on doctor safety

New Delhi: In response to the recent brutal rape and murder of PG respiratory medicine medico at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, a delegation from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) met with the Union Health Minister JP Nadda today to address concerns related to doctor's safety across the country.

During the meeting, a memorandum was submitted demanding the declaration of hospitals across the country as safe zones, a central law against violence and NMC to bring in security stipulations for recognition of medical colleges. 

In response to the doctors' demands, the Honourable Health Minister assured that the Government would consider the first two demands while he accepted the NMC stipulations on security. 

"IMA pressed for better working conditions and accommodation for Resident doctors. The minister responded positively to this demand as well. IMA considers this meeting as the first step in the resolution of the issue. IMA awaits the final word from the Government on the first two demands," stated a press release by the association. 

The IMA team, comprised of National President Dr R V Asokan, HSG Dr Anilkumar J Nayak, Past National President Dr Vinay Aggarwal, and HFS Dr Shitij Bali who met with Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda at 2:30 PM, accompanied by Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary (Health & Family Welfare, GoI), and Dr Atul Goel (Director General, DGHS, GoI). 

This comes after the Union health minister invited the IMA team comprising of National President Dr RV Asokan, HSG Dr Anil J Nayak Past National President Dr Vinay Aggarwal and HFS Dr Shitij Bali for a meeting today following the submission of a letter. 

Previously, the association wrote a letter to the Union Health Minister urging the government to fulfil their demands regarding the violence against doctors across the country and the need for the government to declare hospitals as 'safe zones'.

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Their other demands mentioned in the letter include - All major Government hospitals should have police camps and adequate security personnel, Similar security arrangements should be made mandatory in large private hospitals and CCTV cameras in vulnerable points should be made compulsory.

In addition, the association also stated in the letter, "25 states have law on attack on doctors and hospitals. They are mostly ineffective on the ground and do not serve the purpose of deterrence. The absence of a special central enactment is one of the reasons. We kindly request you to reconsider introducing the Draft Legislation The Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019 incorporating the amendments in the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, approved and passed by the Parliament in Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020."

Before the meeting, Dr RV Asokan, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), told ANI, "Our demands are two-fold. Our demands to the Union government have been pending for the past two decades. We want the Union government to declare hospitals as 'safe zones'. What we have in mind is a layered security structure for hospitals. This has to be defined by law and enforced by local authorities. 

We have state legislation on violence against doctors/healthcare workers in 25 states. On the ground, it is found to be not practical as a central law is not in place. It is time that they relook at a central law. There are more and more women doctors in India now, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their safety....," he adds.

"We will be meeting him (Union Health Minister JP Nadda) today. Tomorrow, we will meet the West Bengal CM and press for early resolution of our demands," says IMA President on the rape-murder of a lady doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. 

Also read- PG medico rape-murder at RG Kar Medical College: IMA issues 48-hour ultimatum, threatens nationwide protest