FAIMA Seeks Supreme Court’s Help for Doctors’ Safety After Tragic Incident in Kolkata
The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has approached the Supreme Court, requesting interim protection for doctors until the recommendations of the National Task Force (NTF) are implemented. This move comes after the Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.
FAIMA has expressed deep respect and gratitude to the Supreme Court for its proactive steps and the directions issued on August 20. The association has highlighted the need for immediate interim measures to ensure the safety of doctors, given the nationwide protests and concerns over their security.
The application filed by FAIMA, represented by General Secretary Dr. Rishiraj Sinha and advocate Tanvi Dubey, calls for several safety measures. These include CCTV monitoring of sensitive areas, compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013, a 24×7 emergency distress call facility, and ensuring a balanced doctor-to-bed ratio for those on long shifts.
FAIMA’s application emphasizes that the lack of a safe working environment violates doctors’ fundamental right to work. The association has also requested the deployment of trained security personnel and the establishment of clear protocols for responding to violent incidents, particularly during night shifts.
Additionally, FAIMA has urged the Supreme Court to include a representative from Resident Doctors in the National Task Force and to ensure that all states strictly comply with the task force’s recommendations. The association seeks a stipulated timeline for the implementation of these recommendations and calls for a safe and dignified working environment for doctors.
Doubts Revealed
FAIMA -: FAIMA stands for the Federation of All India Medical Associations. It is a group that represents doctors and medical professionals in India.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and justice in the country.
Interim protection -: Interim protection means temporary safety measures. These are put in place until a permanent solution is found.
National Task Force -: A National Task Force is a group of experts who work together to solve a big problem. In this case, they are working on ways to keep doctors safe.
Suo moto action -: Suo moto action means the court took action on its own, without anyone asking it to. The court decided to help because it saw something very serious had happened.
RG Kar Medical College -: RG Kar Medical College is a big hospital and medical school in Kolkata, a city in India. It is where the tragic incident happened.
CCTV monitoring -: CCTV monitoring means using cameras to watch and record what is happening in a place. This helps keep people safe by catching bad actions on camera.
Emergency distress call facilities -: Emergency distress call facilities are special phones or buttons that people can use to call for help quickly if they are in danger.
