PUDUCHERRY: In solidarity with their counterparts in West Bengal, doctors at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) staged a demonstration on Tuesday, temporarily halting non-emergency duties for two hours. Emergency services continued to operate fully, with 50 per cent of the medical staff on duty.
The JIPMER Resident Doctors Association (JRDA) has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into a rape and murder case involving a doctor on duty at RG Kar Medical College. The JRDA's petition to the JIPMER Director demands stringent action against ongoing police assaults on students, a transparent investigation, and the immediate transfer of the case to the CBI.
The JRDA has also criticized the current investigation process and called for the resignation of officials who failed to ensure the safety and dignity of the victim. Additionally, the JRDA has urged the central government to introduce a Central Protection Act to safeguard doctors from workplace violence and abuse.
Their demands include secure and segregated duty rooms for male and female doctors, enhanced training for security personnel, and 24/7 CCTV coverage in hospital premises. The JRDA has requested an acknowledgment from the Prime Minister of India regarding this issue on his official social media platforms.
The JIPMER Student Association (JSA) has expressed full support for the JRDA's demands, emphasizing that the issues at hand concern not only the welfare of resident doctors but also the broader future of healthcare in India.