Kolkata rape-murder case: FAIMA moves SC seeking interim protection for doctors

New Delhi [India], August 21 : The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has moved the Supreme Court by way of an intervention application and urged the top court to issue directions for interim protection for the doctors till the recommendations of the National Task Force (NTF) are implemented.
The application moved by the Federation of All India Medical Associations urged the top court to issue direction for certain interim measures to be followed strictly till the detailed recommendations of NTF are implemented.
The intervention application has been filed in the ongoing matter whereby the Supreme Court took suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The top court on Tuesday constituted a national task force for giving recommendations on the safety and security for health professionsal across the country.
FAIMA has also shown their deepest respect and gratitude to the Supreme Court for taking suo moto cognizance in the matter and for the directions passed by the top court on August 20.
FAIMA has prayed for interim protection for the doctors till the recommendations of the National Task Force (NTF) are implemented.
"The implementation of the NTF recommendations may take a few months. In view of the horrifying incident and the nation-wide protest regarding the safety of doctors, it is in their interest if as an interim measure, certain important directions are been implemented with immediate effect," the application read.
The association has sought CCTV monitoring of all sensitive areas, compliance of the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 including the condition of having a 24 x 7 emergency distress call facility and to ensure that the number of bed to the number of doctor's ratio is equal for the doctors doing the 36 hours or 48 hours duty.
The FAIMA is represented through its General Secretary doctor Rishiraj Sinha. The application has been filed through advocate Tanvi Dubey.
The association said that they are filing the application to intervene in the matter due to various reasons. The application said that the health care workers which form an important segment of the society are suffering from unhealthy working condition and issues pertaining to their safety, which is a part of their fundamental right to work. "Therefore, lack of safe working environment is violation of their fundamental right to work," the application said.
Due to a lack of institutional safety, many doctors, especially women doctors, even at the best and most reputed institutions find it unsafe to work and complete their years of residency in the hospital, the application said.
The association further sought deployment of trained security personnel, and the establishment of clear protocols for responding to violent incidents, citing a high risk to their personal safety and security, particularly during night shifts.
In the application, the association has urged the top court to direct inclusion of a representative from Resident Doctors as a part of the National Task Force. It also urged to direct all the states to ensure strict compliance of the recommendations of the National Task Force and also mention the consequences in case of breach.
Direct a stipulated timeline within which the recommendations made by the NTF be implemented and Direct the states and the hospitals to provide a safe and dignified environment to work to the doctors, the association urged.