IMA to work with National Task Force on safety, security of medical professionals; Continues push for Central Law
New Delhi: Following the Supreme Court's formation of a National Task Force to address safety and security issues for medical professionals, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed its support for the decision. The IMA pledged to collaborate with the committee but maintained its demand for a central law to protect medical professionals through an ordinance.
IMA said that a virtual meeting of state presidents and state secretaries has been called today at 9 pm.
According to an ANI report, the official notice from IMA reads, "IMA HQs welcomes the intervention by the Hon Supreme Court. IMA will work with the committee on safety and security. The Central law against violence by an Ordinance remains IMA's demand. IMA HQs. meets with all RDAs tomorrow in Delhi. The struggle continues. A meeting of State Presidents and State Secretaries has been called in Zoom platform today at 9 pm."
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that while considering the case of the horrific incident of rape and murder of a PG medical doctor at Kolkata-based RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Supreme Court has set up a National Task Force to give recommendations on the modalities to be followed across India to ensure the safety of senior and junior doctors employed across the medical colleges/hospitals in the country.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday constituted a 10-member National Task Force to make recommendations on the prevention of violence and safe working conditions for medical professionals.
The task force includes Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, among others.
Days after the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata sparked nationwide protests, the apex court suo motu took up the case and directed the task force to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months, news agency ANI reported.
The court said the Task Force would also prepare an action plan to prevent gender-based violence and ensure a dignified working space for interns, residents, and non-resident doctors.
The top court also asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report on the status of the investigation in the rape case. The court asked the West Bengal government to file a status report on the mob attack incident in the RG Kar hospital on August 15.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continued its investigation on Tuesday into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The CBI has been actively investigating the case, having conducted 3D laser mapping of the RG Kar Medical College emergency ward on August 18. The agency has also received permission to conduct a polygraph test on the arrested suspect.
On August 18, the West Bengal government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital from January 2021 to the present.
In solidarity with the ongoing protests, prominent figures from the Bengal music industry took to the streets on Monday to demand justice for the trainee doctor. Artists such as actor Saheb Chatterjee and radio personality Mir Afsar Ali joined the demonstrations to express their outrage over the tragic incident.
