Junior doctors in Hyderabad have continued their protest for the seventh consecutive day. They are boycotting outpatient services in response to the tragic rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
Despite heavy rains, the Junior Doctors’ Associations (JUDAs) from Osmania, Gandhi, ESIC, and NIMS hospitals gathered on Tuesday to protest. They assembled at the giant statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar behind the Secretariat. The protesting doctors chanted slogans like “We want justice” and demanded strict punishment for the rapist.
The doctors are calling for stronger laws, such as the Central Protection Act (CPA), to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals. Dr. Kiran Madala, the General Secretary of the Telangana Government Teaching Doctors Association (TGTDA), pointed out that the conviction rate for violence against healthcare workers in India is alarmingly low—just under 0.3 percent. Similarly, the conviction rate for violence against women is below 2 percent. He also mentioned that in Maharashtra, there is an arrest related to violence against healthcare personnel almost every day.
A senior surgeon, Dr. Praveen Tripathi, explained the necessity of a law like the CPA for healthcare professionals. He noted that doctors are among the few professionals who interact with the public on a daily basis, often meeting 50 to 150 people each day. Unlike other professions, doctors deal with individuals who are in a vulnerable state of mind, often in distress due to the health of their loved ones. This can lead to unrealistic expectations, and when outcomes aren’t favorable, doctors may be unfairly blamed.
Dr. Praveen emphasized that no one dares to harm police officers or judges because they are aware of the severe consequences. He argued that similar protections should be extended to doctors through the CPA. He concluded by saying that increased violence would only lead to more defensive medical practices, which could ultimately harm patient care.
