India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday created a hospital security task force to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, days after the rape and murder of a junior doctor that sent shockwaves nationwide and sparked protests from early-career doctors.
The August 9 attack in the city of Kolkata has prompted calls for justice for the victim and greater safety for women in hospitals, with doctors in several parts of the country refusing to treat patients outside of emergency situations.
A volunteer police officer was arrested for the crime and the country’s federal police took over the investigation. The public backlash and protests against violence against women were reminiscent of the response to the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012.
“If women cannot go to work and be safe, then we are denying the basic conditions of equality,” said Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who headed a three-judge bench of the court.
The court recommended that the doctor-led task force consider sweeping reforms to make hospitals safer for staff, but hundreds of early-career doctors who were on strike to protest the situation said they were unhappy with the proposal and would continue to protest.
“Legislation alone will not solve the problem, we need a comprehensive reform of the system,” the organization of early-career doctors said in a statement, adding that the court’s guidelines do not address the “core problem”: inadequate funding for public health and a lack of employees.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
