Difficulties Indian Physicians Face

Dear Editor,

I'm writing to alert you to the progressively serious problems that our society's heroes—our doctors—are facing. I kindly ask that you take into consideration publishing an article of mine in Sikkim Express on these urgent concerns in order to increase public awareness and spark the essential discourse on how these issues may be addressed by the government.

There are several difficulties that doctors must deal with, such as:

1. Exceptionally Extended Workdays: Many physicians, particularly those employed in emergency rooms, frequently put in 36–40 hours of labor at a time, especially in private institutions. Their ability to deliver high-quality treatment is also impacted by this demanding schedule, in addition to their physical and emotional well-being.

2. Public harassment: Physicians are regularly the target of harassment from the general public, which frequently stems from miscommunications or annoyances over structural problems that are out of their control.

3. Inadequate Facilities for Resting: Doctors have a severe shortage of comfortable locations to relax, particularly after lengthy hours. This is especially concerning for female physicians, who frequently do not have access to suitable toilets to refresh themselves.  

4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism in All Hospitals: The Centre as well as State Government should advocate for the establishment of a comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism in all hospitals, including government, private, and corporate-sector hospitals. This mechanism should ensure that:

• Complaints are resolved within 24 hours: All complaints registered by doctors or paramedical staff should be investigated promptly, and a resolution must be provided within 24 hours of the complaint being lodged.

• Right to Approach High Courts:- If the complainant does not receive a satisfactory resolution within the stipulated time, they should have the right to directly approach the High Court without the need for a lawyer.

• Legal Support under the Legal Services Authority of India: In cases of medical violence, where doctors or paramedical staff need to appeal to the court, they should not be directed to approach the district court for legal representation. Instead, the High Court should appoint a lawyer for them under the Legal Services Authority of India, ensuring they receive adequate legal support without delay.

5. Implementation of a Safety Act for Medical Workers:

It is imperative that the Government of India enacts and enforces an All India Medical Workers’ Safety Regulations Act, which should be strictly implemented across all hospitals under the Government of India. This act should mandate:

• Deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces in all government and private hospitals to ensure the safety of medical workers and patients.

• Declaration of hospitals as safest zones for doctors, with stringent legal provisions for severe punishment in cases of violence or threats against medical staff.

• Establishment of robust security protocols in all healthcare facilities, including 24/7 surveillance, controlled access points, and regular safety audits.

India is not an exception to the global concern over violence against physicians. Violence against physicians, both physical and psychological, is becoming more common. One recent incident that has brought attention to the vulnerability of doctors even in the ostensible safety of their workplaces is the brutal rape and murder of doctors, particularly female doctors, at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal. The doctors were also viciously attacked and manhandled by a mob.

In India, physicians constitute the backbone of the healthcare system and are frequently seen as its face. Sadly, this results in the public harbouring misdirected and harmful hatred against doctors, as they are wrongfully held responsible for systemic problems. Owing to a volatile atmosphere where physicians are regularly the targets of violence, a lack of trust between doctors and patients has been made worse by social and economic pressures.

Making medical decisions needs a calm, collected mind that is unintimidated. But in the current environment, when physicians are seen with suspicion and fear, it becomes very challenging to deliver the best treatment possible. In order for physicians to provide their patients with the finest treatment possible, safety and security are essential.

In view of these problems, we must educate the people and inquire about the Government of Sikkim's intentions for resolving these pressing challenges. More specifically, what steps will the State Government take to guarantee the protection and safety of physicians? How can the Government ensure that situations in Sikkim that are comparable to the one at RG Kar Medical College don't happen again?

By bringing these concerns to light, we can have the much-needed conversation about how to safeguard our physicians and make sure they can carry out their important work fearlessly.

Yours etc,

Krishak D Bardewa

UPSC Aspirant,

Sikkim