New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) announced on Saturday the formation of a committee to propose measures aimed at enhancing the safety of healthcare professionals. This move follows a 24-hour nationwide protest by doctors, who are demanding justice for the tragic rape and murder of a colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized that representatives from all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, will be invited to provide their input to the committee. The MoHFW also urged protesting doctors to resume their duties, citing the growing number of dengue and malaria cases as a pressing public health concern.
Key representatives from the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and resident doctors’ associations from various government medical colleges and hospitals in Delhi met with the Union health minister in response to the Kolkata incident. During the meeting, the associations presented their demands for improved safety and security measures for healthcare workers in their workplaces.
The ministry acknowledged these concerns and assured the associations that it is committed to taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals. The ministry’s statement also highlighted that the government is acutely aware of the situation and sensitive to the demands of the healthcare community.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that 26 states have already enacted laws to protect healthcare workers. In light of the concerns raised by the associations, the ministry reiterated its commitment to forming a committee that will explore all possible measures to safeguard healthcare professionals. Stakeholders, including state governments, will be invited to contribute their suggestions to this important initiative.
