“Please trust us,” the Supreme Court said Today (Aug 20th) while requesting the doctors protesting across the country over a Kolkata doctor’s alleged rape and killing to call off the strike and resume work. CJI said abstention from the work of doctors affects those segments of the society that are in need of medical care.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court made a heartfelt appeal to doctors across the country who are protesting in response to the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, urging them to call off their strike and return to work.
“Please trust us”
-the Court emphasized, addressing the protesting medical professionals directly.
The Court highlighted the significant impact of the doctors’ absence on vulnerable segments of society who are in dire need of medical care.
“We earnestly appeal to all the doctors that we are here to ensure that their safety and protection is the matter of highest national concern. Please trust us, that is why we have not left the matter to the high court.”
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, leading a three-judge bench, explained that the Supreme Court had taken up the matter because it was not just a case of a grave offense but one that had far-reaching implications for the healthcare system across India.
“We felt this is not just a matter of a serious offence but which affects the institution of healthcare pan India. Therefore, the need for the Supreme Court to take up the matter,”
-CJI Chandrachud said.
The Supreme Court’s hearing was in relation to a suo motu case concerning the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College, which has sparked widespread protests among the medical community nationwide.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) responded positively to the Supreme Court’s intervention, stating that it would serve the interests of the medical fraternity. The apex court, recognizing the importance of the ongoing protest, made a further appeal:
“Since this court is seized of the matter pertaining to safety and well-being of all medical professionals at workplaces, we would request all the doctors abstaining from work across the country to resume work at the earliest.”
The bench reiterated that the doctors’ strike was adversely affecting those who needed medical care the most and reassured the medical professionals that their concerns were being addressed with the utmost seriousness.
“The doctors and medical professionals shall stand assured that their concerns are receiving the highest concern from the highest court from a diverse range of counsels,”
-the bench noted, underscoring the Court’s commitment to resolving the issue in a manner that ensures the safety and well-being of medical professionals across the country.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in this case reflects a deep understanding of the broader implications that such incidents can have on society, particularly in essential sectors like healthcare. The Court’s appeal to doctors to trust the judicial process and return to work is both pragmatic and empathetic.
It acknowledges the gravity of the incident while also emphasizing the critical role that doctors play in society, especially for those who are most in need of medical care.
Strikes, especially in the healthcare sector, can have severe consequences, affecting the most vulnerable segments of society. The Court’s request for doctors to resume work while it addresses their concerns underscores the balance between seeking justice and maintaining essential services.
The assurance that the highest court in the land is handling the matter should provide some comfort to the medical community, indicating that their safety and concerns are being taken seriously at the national level.
This situation also highlights the importance of institutional support and systemic changes to ensure the safety and security of medical professionals.
The tragedy in Kolkata serves as a stark reminder that more needs to be done to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
The Court’s involvement could be a catalyst for necessary reforms in workplace safety, particularly in the healthcare sector, which is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Overall, the Supreme Court’s approach seems measured and responsible, aiming to address immediate concerns while also setting the stage for longer-term improvements in the safety and security of healthcare professionals across India.
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