In Response to the Rape and Murder of a Trainee Doctor in Kolkata

Newsreel Asia Insight #312
August 17, 2024

Doctors across India launched a 24-hour strike on Aug. 17, disrupting medical services nationwide, in response to the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata. The incident has caused an uproar among medical professionals, demanding justice and increased security.

The strike began at 6 am, with hospitals in many cities only attending to emergency cases, according to media reports.

An estimated one million doctors participated, leading to a near standstill of non-emergency medical services. Elective procedures and outpatient consultations were on hold, according to a statement by the Indian Medical Association.

On Aug. 9, the young doctor’s body was discovered inside the seminar hall at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, where she was working a 36-hour shift. The brutality of the crime, confirmed by an autopsy that noted sexual assault, has drawn parallels to the 2012 gang-rape in New Delhi.

Political figures, celebrities and the public joined the outcry, demanding not only justice for the slain doctor but also stronger measures to protect all women and healthcare workers. The demands include a Central Protection Act to safeguard healthcare workers and stricter enforcement of laws to deter violence against healthcare professionals.

The assault on the trainee doctor in Kolkata reflects the broader issue of sexual violence against women in India. According to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 31,516 recorded instances of rape in 2022. However, female doctors and healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable to sexual crimes due to workplace-specific risks and societal factors.

Many healthcare professionals work long, unpredictable hours, often during night shifts. These conditions can increase their vulnerability, especially in less secure areas of medical facilities like parking lots and isolated corridors.

Hospitals and clinics often have complex layouts with numerous secluded areas that can become risky, especially when staff are working alone. This isolation can make it easier for potential perpetrators to commit acts of violence without witnesses.

The hierarchical nature of medical institutions can also play a role. Junior staff, often including many women, may feel pressured to tolerate inappropriate behaviour from senior staff to avoid professional repercussions.

Further, healthcare professionals frequently work in close physical proximity to patients. While most patient interactions are safe, this proximity can occasionally lead to inappropriate or aggressive behaviour by patients, especially if they are under the influence of drugs, or frustrated by wait times and service dissatisfaction.

The high-stress environment in healthcare, combined with the physical and emotional demands of the job, can increase tensions and lead to hostile encounters.

Therefore, several countries have implemented specific laws to protect healthcare workers, often referred to as “Healthcare Protection Acts” or similar titles, which aim to ensure the safety of medical staff.

In the United States, many states have laws that enhance penalties for assaults against healthcare workers. For instance, California has specific provisions under its Penal Code that increase penalties for battery against healthcare workers.

The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, too, enforce strict regulations and legal actions against any form of violence towards healthcare staff – from example, the U.K.’s Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act.