RG Kar Case: Doctors, PG Residents File Intervention pleas Before Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court bench comprising the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has listed the RG Kar case for further hearing today i.e. August 22, 2024.

Meanwhile, associations of doctors and resident doctors have filed interventions in the matter. Approaching the Apex Court bench, the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has prayed for directions to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the State Health authorities to make safety at workplace & basic amenities, as mentioned in the Supreme Court order, a mandatory criteria for recognition of medical colleges and hospitals.

An intervention has also been filed by the National Federation of Resident Doctors of the All India Institute of Medical Association (AIIMS), which highlighted the concerns of various resident doctors in all AIIMS across the country.

The United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) has also approached the Apex Court with various prayers to effectively deal with the issue at hand and other connected matters that directly impact the welfare of the healthcare service personnel and the functioning of healthcare institutions across the country. Among them are formation of the Central Protection Act (CPA) Committee to address the critical concerns of healthcare professionals, ANI has reported.

Doctors and resident doctors filed these intervention applications in the case concerning the brutal rape and murder of a PG medical student at Kolkata-based RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Recently, the Apex Court bench took suo motu cognizance of the matter and during the hearing of the case on Tuesday, the top court constituted a National Task Force comprising of nine doctors and five ex-officio members to draft an action plan to ensure the safety of the doctors, residents, interns, nurses and other healthcare professionals across the country.

This Task Force has been directed to submit its interim report within 3 weeks and the final report within 2 months before the Supreme Court bench. Listing the matter for further hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court bench had asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report into the RG Kar incident.

Intervention by DMA: 

After filing an intervention into the matter, DMA yesterday made an submission before the Apex Court and demanded the following:

1) Directions to NMC & State Health Authorities to make Safety at Workplace & basic amenities as mentioned in Court Order a Mandatory Criteria for recognition of Medical Colleges and Hospitals.

2) Mandatory Filing of Institutional FIR within 2 Hours

3)Creation of Compensation Distress Fund for victim & family.

4) Inclusion of DMA Representative on the Task Force.

Intervention by National Federation of Resident Doctors: 

ANI has reported that the National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS has moved an intervention application in the Supreme Court, highlighting the concerns of various resident doctors in all AIIMS across the country.

Advocate Tanvi Dubey is representing the National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS. The federation highlighted the concerns of various resident doctors in all AIIMS across the country and urged the top court for interim measures for the doctors till the recommendations made by the NTF are implemented.

The organisation has also mentioned that, by the very nature of their profession, healthcare workers are entitled to a certain degree of protection and safety mechanisms at the workplace.

Intervention by United Doctors Front Association (UDFA): 

UDFA, which is a collective organization representing doctors and healthcare professionals across India and committed to advocating for the rights, welfare, and professional interests of medical practitioners, said, "In light of the increasing instances of violence against healthcare professionals, there is an urgent need to revisit and enhance the existing legal framework to ensure their safety and security."

The association urged the top court to recognize the significance of this legislative proposal and support its swift enactment. "Such legal protection is vital for maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system, safeguarding the rights of those who serve in it, and ensuring that the public continues to receive uninterrupted and quality healthcare services," the application said.

UDFA has made various prayers to the top court to effectively deal with the issue at hand and other connected matters that directly impact the welfare of healthcare service personnel and the functioning of healthcare institutions across the country. Among them are the formation of the Central Protection Act (CPA) Committee to address the critical concerns of healthcare professionals.

Among others are request for ordinance, representation of youth in National Task Force, immediate Implementation of the NDMC Health Professional Violence Act as an interim measure until the CPA is enacted, issuance of directions to the Central Government to urgently formulate and implement uniform safety protocols across all healthcare institutions and deployment of a trained and designated security force at sensitive hospitals and medical institutions.

Also Read: Breaking News on RG Kar Case: Supreme Court Constitutes National Task Force to draft Action plan for Safety of Doctors