Healthcare workers of the nation stand together: The need for workplace safety

Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala

August 14, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM

Workplace safety, Violence, Humanity

Workplace safety is an often discussed issue in Public Health.
When it comes to healthcare professionals, it mostly concerns protection from biological, chemical and radiological agents.
The inhumane and shocking circumstances around the death of a second-year postgraduate student inside a Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, forces us to redefine what constitutes workplace safety not just for doctors but also every other health care professionals.
In response to the notice released by the Federation of Residents Doctors Association India (FORDA) following the incident, the country witnessed a cease of elective services in hospitals across India as a mark of solidarity.
The following were the demands by FORDA:

Immediate acceptance of the demand of the doctors belonging to the RG Kar Medical College, where the incident took place.
Justice for the victim
Ratification of the Healthcare Protection Act by formation of a committee of healthcare professionals.
Release and implementation of security protocol for healthcare workers.

It is deeply distressing that a doctor has to endure such a heinous crime; this raises serious concerns about the safety of any individual in an organized workplace, not to mention those in unorganized sectors.
It’s high time that we acknowledge and address this aspect of workplace safety with priority.