KOLKATA: Saving lives was the childhood dream for 28-year-old Indian doctor Radhika, but recent events have shifted her focus to her own safety. The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor at the government-run hospital where Radhika works has sparked widespread outrage and concern.
Earlier this month, the body of the unnamed doctor, referred to as “Abhaya” or “fearless” by protesters, was discovered battered and bloodied in the seminar hall of Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident has ignited protests and medical strikes, drawing attention to the lack of safety measures for female doctors.
“I was on night duty just two days before this incident,” Radhika said. “What she did is what any of us do — resting whenever, wherever we can.”
The murdered doctor had gone to the seminar hall for a break during a long shift, reflecting the grueling conditions faced by medical professionals, who often work extended hours with minimal rest.
The attack has resonated deeply with the public, who are channeling their anger not only at the broader issue of violence against women but also at inadequate workplace security for female doctors. According to Dasra, women constitute nearly 30 percent of doctors and 80 percent of nursing staff in India, and attacks on female medical professionals are alarmingly frequent.
In response, India’s Supreme Court has ordered a national task force to explore ways to enhance security for healthcare workers, criticizing the lack of safety protocols at medical institutions. The court’s order highlighted the absence of CCTV cameras and insufficient security measures to screen visitors for weapons.
Medical superintendent Indira Kabade from Bengaluru’s KC General Hospital expressed concerns for her staff’s safety, advocating for stringent security measures akin to those at airports. “Despite us working non-stop to save lives, there is a need to rethink safety at the workplace,” Kabade said.
The horrific nature of the doctor’s killing has drawn comparisons to the 2012 gang rape and murder in Delhi, with nearly 90 rapes reported daily in India’s population of 1.4 billion.
Doctors, often exhausted, are forced to rest in inadequate facilities, including poorly maintained restrooms with shared and often unsecure toilets. This lack of basic infrastructure exacerbates their daily struggles.
In Kashmir, doctor Rubeena Bhat described a situation so dire that some medics prefer using neighboring houses’ facilities. Meanwhile, in Kerala, a female doctor reported daily abuse, from verbal insults to physical molestation, underscoring the pervasive violence faced by female doctors.
Despite these challenges, Radhika remains determined to continue her work in healthcare. “I will fight and continue to be in the healthcare service,” she affirmed.
