Bengaluru, August 20, 2024 – Female doctors in Bengaluru are expressing increasing concern over their safety and working conditions, highlighting issues such as aggressive patients, inadequate amenities, and security risks.

Key Issues Identified:

  • Safety Concerns: Female doctors are troubled by the risks associated with working late hours and handling aggressive patients. A doctor at St John’s Medical College and Hospital, Koramangala, mentioned heightened vigilance after the recent rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. Incidents like stolen phones and unauthorized access to duty rooms add to their concerns.
  • Aggressive Patients and Threats: Dr. Sripada Vinekar, a gynaecologist, has faced threats and abuse from patients’ families when treatments do not meet expectations. The unpredictability and hostility from patients and their relatives can be particularly daunting for female doctors.
  • Emergency Calls: Attending to emergencies at night poses safety challenges, as doctors often travel alone. Dr. Vinekar noted the fear of traveling alone on isolated roads and the need for improved security measures.
  • Inadequate Amenities: Dr. Pooja Bajaj, a pulmonologist, reported discomfort with inadequate facilities, such as poorly maintained duty rooms that are shared among multiple doctors. Historical issues, like the lack of duty rooms, forced some to rent nearby apartments.
  • Chauvinism and Misogyny: Female doctors face challenges with male patients and relatives who may not respect professional boundaries, and they often encounter chauvinistic attitudes and discrimination.

Steps Being Taken:

  • Enhanced Security Measures: The state medical education department is reviewing adherence to safety guidelines and plans to increase security by setting up control rooms, employing ex-servicemen, and implementing AI-generated apps and alarm systems.
  • Demands for Improved Conditions: The Indian Medical Association, Karnataka, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish a central law ensuring the safety and welfare of doctors. They are also calling for enhanced security measures, such as CCTV, guards, accessible restrooms, and police outposts at major hospitals, as well as reduced duty hours.

Ongoing Efforts:

  • Review of Guidelines: Government-run medical colleges and hospitals are being asked to assess compliance with National Medical Council (NMC) and Nirbhaya guidelines to improve safety and working conditions.

The discussion underscores the need for systemic changes to address the challenges faced by female doctors, ensuring their safety and well-being while they fulfill critical roles in healthcare.

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