Supreme Court Calls for Immediate Workplace Safety Reforms in Healthcare

The Supreme Court of India highlighted the urgent need for workplace safety in healthcare institutions after the rape and killing of a medic. The court emphasized the vulnerability of medical professionals to violence, especially female staff, and called for a national protocol to ensure their protection.

The Supreme Court expressed concern on Tuesday over the lack of workplace safety in healthcare institutions and emphasized the urgent need for reforms. Addressing the suo-motu case of a postgraduate medic's alleged rape and killing at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, the court said real changes cannot wait until another tragedy such as rape or murder occurs.

A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that nationwide protests have brought attention to the lack of institutional safety for doctors. Medical associations have repeatedly raised these issues, but medical professionals remain targets of various forms of violence.

Highlighting the specific risks faced by female medical professionals, who are more likely to encounter sexual violence, the court stressed the need for comprehensive safety protocols. A 10-member National Task Force will draft a protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of healthcare providers, addressing systemic failures and institutional safety norms.