Lady doctor's murder in Kolkata: Special central committee for safety of doctors, will invite recommendations from states

Sunday 18 August, 2024 | 12:53 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry has decided to form a special committee to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, including doctors, in the country. The Ministry made the decision during a meeting with representatives of doctors' organizations amidst nationwide protests over the incident where a female doctor was brutally murdered at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. Meanwhile, healthcare services, including government and private hospitals, to a grinding halt following a 24-hour strike led by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday.

The structure of the committee and other matters will be decided soon. Representatives from state governments will be invited to share suggestions with the committee. The Health Ministry made it clear that it will do everything possible to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.

Representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FORDA), Resident Doctors' Association, and other organizations met with officials from the Health Ministry to discuss their concerns regarding the safety of healthcare workers in their workplaces.

Currently, 26 states have enacted laws to protect healthcare workers. The decision to form a new committee was made in the backdrop of the Kolkata incident and considering the concerns raised by organizations.

Demands put forward by doctors