In a pivotal move following the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College Hospital, the Supreme Court has mandated the creation of a National Task Force (NTF) to address critical workplace safety issues. The Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, expressed grave concern over the inadequate safety measures for medical professionals, particularly women, across India.
The Court emphasized the urgency of implementing national protocols to guarantee safe working environments. “As the workforce becomes increasingly female, we cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to drive change,” the Court stated. Current state laws, while present in regions like Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana, fail to tackle institutional safety deficits.
The newly established NTF, spearheaded by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, will focus on comprehensive recommendations to enhance workplace safety for medical professionals. Immediate issues include insufficient rest facilities for night-shift workers, inadequate gender-segregated duty rooms, and poor hygiene conditions. Security lapses, such as the lack of CCTV surveillance and inadequate screening for weapons, further compound these problems.
The Court has also demanded accountability from the West Bengal Government and the police, questioning their handling of the case and the handling of media coverage of the victim’s death. Additionally, the Court is addressing concerns about vandalism at the hospital during a recent protest and the appointment of the former principal to another hospital post-resignation.
The NTF is expected to deliver an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months, outlining necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of medical professionals across the country.
