Ranchi: A female junior doctor at Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), Ranchi, was molested in a hospital lift while she was heading to the Oncology department. The accused was apprehended at the scene and handed over to the police. However, the incident raised serious concerns about the safety of female doctors in the hospital. The Junior Doctors Association (JDA) called for the pen-down strike on Sunday in protest against the molestation and to demand improved security measures but resumed work after the hospital administration agreed to their demands to enhance security..
JDA Vice President Dr. Abhishek Hansda said, “We have four specific demands, which include deploying a security guard in every lift, allowing only one attendant per patient, assigning two guards to each ward, and increasing the number of security guards in the hospital.” Hansda added, “The strike was called off after all our demands were accepted during a meeting with the concerned authorities.” Expressing dissatisfaction with the current security arrangements, Dr. Hansda emphasized, “While we appreciate the administration’s quick response, the available security measures are still inadequate. The safety of doctors remains a serious concern. Strikes are not a long-term solution; we need a more permanent and comprehensive approach to address this issue.”
The JDA President noted that the recent strike was prompted by a series of incidents within the hospital and hostel campus that had raised security concerns. Hansda pointed out that, on August 14, MBBS students were attacked by unruly home guard personnel, and the September 8 harassment incident further underscored the lack of safety for medical staff. JDA officials also linked their protest to broader concerns within the medical community, citing the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata as a triggering event. Dr. Hansda explained that the tragic incidents at other medical institutions have heightened concerns at RIMS. “While some steps have been taken, such as the reshuffling of the accused home guard personnel, we need more comprehensive solutions to ensure our campus is safe for everyone,” Hansda added.