India's Female Doctors Grapple with New Fears After Tragic Incident

In a stark contrast to the festive celebrations of Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival symbolizing the protective bond between brothers and sisters, India's medical community finds itself grappling with profound unease. The recent rape and murder of a 31-year at a Kolkata hospital has sent shockwaves through the nation, casting a long shadow over the perceived safety of female medical professionals.

Dr. Sumita Banerjee, a third-year student at Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi, voiced her frustration with the timing of the festival. "What hypocrisy," she remarked. "These men pledge to protect their sisters but rape women. Can we stop these brother-sister rituals and just strive for a day when Indian men respect not only their sisters but all women?"

The discovery of the doctor's brutalized body in a seminar room at RG Kar hospital on August 9 has ignited nationwide outrage. Doctors across India have taken to the streets in protest, refusing to see non-emergency patients in a show of solidarity and a demand for improved security measures.

For female doctors, this tragic event has shattered a long-held sense of security within hospital walls. Dr. Rooma Sinha, a gynaecologist at Apollo hospital in Hyderabad, expressed the sentiment shared by many of her colleagues: "I'd stride into the hospital at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. and think nothing of it. My white coat was like a circle of protection around me. Now that sense of safety has gone."

Dr. Preeti Shetty, a gynaecologist at Apollo's Bangalore branch, echoed these concerns. "We have all done night shifts, responded to calls at every hour of the day, and gone off for deliveries at night as routine tasks. To think that such a hideous thing could happen during our normal routine is very unsettling for all of us," she said.

The stark contrast between private and public healthcare facilities has come into sharp focus. While private hospitals like Apollo boast extensive security measures, government facilities often lack such protections. The arrested suspect, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with the police who assisted with patient admissions, had unrestricted access to various parts of the Kolkata hospital where the crime occurred.

In response to the doctors' strike, the government announced a 25% increase in security personnel at all government hospitals and the deployment of marshals for extreme situations. Additionally, India's Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a national task force of doctors to make recommendations on workplace safety.

The incident has sparked particular concern for medical students entering hospitals as resident doctors. "They have worked so hard to pass competitive exams. Their parents have made sacrifices to pay for their education. And now parents have a new fear to worry about," Dr. Shetty noted.

This tragedy comes at a time when more female doctors than ever are entering the workforce, with women comprising half or more of the student body in most medical colleges. However, recent events have led many to reconsider their sense of security in the workplace.

A senior resident at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed her newfound anxiety about returning to night shifts. Participating in a protest with a placard reading "No safety, no duty," she observed, "It's strange, but being out in the open on the street actually feels safer than a seminar room in a hospital after what happened."

The impact of this incident has rippled through the medical community, altering behaviors and heightening vigilance. Dr. Subashini Venkatesh, a general physician with Apollo in Chennai, described her changed approach: "I have an intern working with me, and I'm asking: 'Where have you parked your car? Is it well-lit? Let me know when you have reached your room.' This is totally new."

While acknowledging the public outrage over a doctor's murder inside a hospital, Dr. Sinha emphasized that the issue of women's safety extends beyond the medical profession. "Yes, I know doctors serve the public, but so do other women—women working nights in call centers or as software engineers. Women should feel safe in all workplaces," she asserted.

The ongoing protests have provided some solace to the parents of the deceased doctor. "My daughter is gone, but millions of sons and daughters are now with me. This has given me strength," the father told reporters.

The investigation has been transferred to India's federal crimes agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation, following concerns raised by the victim's parents about the objectivity of the Kolkata police.

As India's medical community continues to grapple with this tragedy, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about women's safety in the workplace and the need for comprehensive security measures across all sectors. The coming months will likely see increased scrutiny of hospital safety protocols and renewed efforts to ensure that those dedicated to healing others can do so without fear for their own well-being.