Kolkata Rape-Murder of PG Trainee Doc: A Black Day for Medical Fraternity : Dr Purohit

New Delhi : The shocking incident of the brutal rape and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata highlights the critical issues of inadequate security measures and poor working conditions faced by medical interns and residents in government medical colleges said Dr.  Naresh Purohit, Executive Member of the Federation of Hospital Administrators.

Voicing his concern on this issue with NewsOnRadar.com, renowned physician Dr. Purohit raised questions over the security of the hospital campus as an on-duty lady doctor has been raped and murdered in the department’s     e-seminar room at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata.

He has demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the heinous crime. In a letter to the Union Health Minister JP Nadda, he said that the “gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, and we all must stand united in our response”.

“The circumstances surrounding the death of the young lady doctor, found in the hospital seminar hall, are deeply disturbing, with credible allegations of assault, rape and murder emerging. This heartbreaking incident starkly highlights the glaring deficiencies in security without our medical institutions across the country,” he pointed in the letter.

“The inquest report has unequivocally confirmed that the resident doctor sustained multiple injuries and was subjected to rape and murder,” he said. He has demanded strict action against the existing hospital administrators who were in charge of her safety and security.

He alleged in the letter that in West Bengal, or even across the country, very few medical colleges have security provisions for doctors. Even if CCTV cameras have been installed, they do not work or the footage isn’t backed up. This needs to be improved. During night shifts, even male doctors are concerned about their safety.

The letter to the Minister includes list of demands for speedy justice:

1. Clarification on the status of the judicial inquiry established to investigate this matter,

2. Full Post-mortem report to be released immediately,

3. Official statement to be released regarding the arrest made in relation to the case,

4. Fast Track court to be formed to ensure exemplary punishment of the culprit,

5. Strict action against the entire security agency at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital,

6. Installation of CCTV with 24x 7 real- time monitoring,

7. Unauthorised entry to doctor’s rooms and seminar rooms is to be restricted,

8. Police picketing with adequate police personnel to be arranged in hospital premises,

He has also called upon the government to urgently implement the ‘Central Protection Act for Doctors’ to ensure safety and wellbeing of healthcare professionals.

*Dr. Naresh Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an eminent Epidemiologist, Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state organizations.  Dr.  Purohit is also Principal Investigator for the Association of Studies For Kidney Care.

He’s also Executive Member of the Federation of Hospital Administrators.