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Synopsis

Delhi Medical Association has filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to include safety standards for healthcare professionals at work place to be part of the mandatory criteria for recognition of medical colleges, and hospitals in every state.

The association has said that this will ensure safe working environment, particularly for women professionals. 

An application settled by senior advocate Vijay Hansaria and filed by advocate Sneha Kalita has also sought a direction for mandatory filing of institutional FIR within two hours of commission of cognisable offence within the hospital premises or clinical establishments.

The body of medical professionals has asked the court to issue directions to the National Medical Commission and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and State Healthcare Regulatory Authorities and other accreditation agencies in this regard.

It also pleaded the court to direct each State to create Compensation Distress Fund for the healthcare victim or the family members of the deceased victim which is to be disbursed within a time frame.

The application was filed in suo motu matter insisted as 'In Re: Alleged Rape And Murder Incident Of A Trainee Doctor In R.G. Kar Medical College And Hospital, Kolkata And Related Issues', following the brutal rape and murder of Post Graduate doctor on August 9 and subsequent vandalism of the hospital by a mob of 7,000 people.

It stated there has been a number of incidents reported against the violence /attacks/assault against the healthcare workers /Medicare Service Personals. 

"There have been reported cases of extreme incidents of public lynching and in some unfortunate cases have led to the death of the doctors/ Healthcare Workers and also damage to property of healthcare establishments & others. However there have been many cases that go unreported due to many factors such as, non-accessibility of police system, incidents happened in remote areas, trauma faced by the victim health care workers and their families as well," it said.

The applicant stated that it has more than 15,000 healthcare Professionals as members and was established in the year 1914 (110 years old) constituted during the 1St World War to help the masses and soldiers. 

Amongst many, one of its objectives is to maintain honour and dignity and to uphold their right to safe and conducive environment at workplace while discharging their duties and rendering services to the mankind and also to take initiative on health care policies and other issues both at national level, it stated.

The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognisance of the incident from August 9, 2024 where a young doctor working at a medical college in Kolkata was brutally raped and murdered.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra is currently in session with the matter.