Students and medical professionals in Mysuru joined together to demand enhanced workplace safety.
On Sunday, August 18, nearly 200 medical professionals, including students from Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, participated in a significant rally in Mysuru, advocating for improved safety measures in their workplaces.
This demonstration is a direct response to the recent tragic incident involving the brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor on duty at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The march began at K.R. Hospital and proceeded to Gandhi Square, where participants formed a human chain to symbolize their solidarity in this important issue.
Dr. Mohan, a final-year postgraduate doctor at Cheluvamba Hospital, emphasized the need for justice for the victims of such heinous acts and noted that this protest is part of a larger national movement advocating for safer working conditions for all healthcare professionals. The rally aimed to raise public awareness about the critical need for workplace security in hospitals.
Additionally, the rally underscored the urgent need for the implementation of the Central Protection Act, designed to protect medical professionals and institutions from violence. Despite the existence of this act, its enforcement remains pending.
A senior faculty member from MMCRI highlighted that workplace safety is an urgent concern, pointing out the deficiencies even at K.R. Hospital. He noted that while senior staff have access to private facilities, junior doctors and nurses often use shared restrooms located far away, requiring them to navigate poorly lit areas at night, suggesting the need for better lighting and CCTV installation for enhanced safety.
This rally marks the second consecutive demonstration organized by the medical community in Mysuru, following a similar event held on Saturday as part of a nationwide strike initiated by the Indian Medical Association.
