Assam Hospital Withdraws Advisory for Women Doctors After Protests

Amid rising concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam has retracted an advisory that recommended women doctors and female staff avoid isolated areas at night. The advisory was initially issued after the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, an incident that has sparked outrage across the medical community.

Cancellation of the Advisory: The original advisory, issued by Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, Principal cum Chief Superintendent of SMCH, was intended to improve the safety and security of women doctors, students, and staff on campus. It advised them to avoid isolated, poorly lit, and sparsely populated areas, particularly during night hours. Women were also encouraged to avoid going off-campus late at night and to refrain from associating with unknown individuals.

However, the advisory was met with protests from students who argued that it failed to address the underlying security issues on campus. In response to the backlash, Dr. Gupta announced that the advisory had been cancelled and promised that a revised version would be issued soon.

Student Protests and Demands: The Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) led the protests, expressing their disappointment with the advisory. JDA President Salman Choudhury stated that the advisory was not only inadequate but also failed to address the key security concerns at SMCH. The students demanded comprehensive security measures, including improved lighting around the hospital, enhanced security personnel, dedicated washroom facilities, secure doctors' rooms, and the installation of CCTV cameras.

Conclusion: As the protests highlighted the need for more robust security measures rather than restrictions on the movement of women, the administration at SMCH is now tasked with addressing these concerns in a revised advisory. The situation underscores the importance of creating a safe and secure environment for all healthcare professionals, particularly women, in the wake of increasing concerns about their safety.