A study by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has highlighted alarming safety concerns among doctors, with a significant number, particularly women, reporting feelings of extreme insecurity during night shifts so much so that some have begun carrying weapons for self-defense.
This comprehensive survey, involving 3,885 respondents across 22 States, was conducted in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. It said about one-third of respondents felt “unsafe” (24.1 per cent) or “very unsafe” (11.4 per cent) during night shifts. Around 45 per cent of doctors reported not having access to a duty room during night shifts.
Those with duty rooms generally felt safer. However, many duty rooms were overcrowded, lacked privacy, and had inadequate facilities, such as missing locks and no attached bathrooms. There were infrastructure Issues also. Duty rooms were often located far from patient care areas (53 per cent), and one-third lacked attached bathrooms, requiring doctors to venture outside late at night.
The study has recommended enhanced Security, improved infrastructure and legislative measures. These suggestions come amid the Union Health Ministry’s directives to the States urging them to increase the number of trained security personnel, install CCTV cameras, improve lighting, and implement alarm systems. It has also asked to ensure duty rooms are secure and equipped with basic amenities, and address overcrowding and privacy issues.
Some doctors reported carrying weapons for self-defense due to unsafe conditions. Issues like verbal and physical threats from patients under the influence, and inappropriate contact in crowded emergency rooms were noted.
The study highlights the urgent need for policy changes to enhance security and infrastructure in healthcare settings. Dr. Siddharth Tara, Convenor of the Progressive Medicos and Scientists Forum, emphasised the urgent need for the survey, highlighting that the Indian healthcare system relies heavily on women, including ASHA workers, female nurses, and doctors. He asserted that these professionals deserve to work with dignity and called for the National Medical Commission to derecognise medical colleges that fail to ensure the safety of their trainee doctors, citing a lack of administrative accountability.
Dr. Shweta Sharma, a psychologist and head of Mansa Global Foundation, described the IMA survey as revealing and critical. She underscored the severe mental trauma experienced by female doctors following the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Noting that similar incidents have been reported in the media, she stressed the need for an urgent and comprehensive safety network to ensure doctors can perform their duties without fear or undue pressure.Ends
