Shillong, March 22: The recent turn of events related to violence against medical professionals in different parts of the country is deeply condemned by the NEIGRIHMS Residents Doctors Association (NRDA).
In the last two weeks there has been a spate of violence against resident doctors and its becoming an alarming trend. While an average resident doctor works for more than 100 hours a week its painful to see them being harassed, manhandled and physically assaulted by the very people whom they so earnestly serve. And even more damning is the apathy shown to this situation by the different political and official institutions responsible for maintaining the law and order of the country.
The recent statement passed by an honorable Bombay High Court judge comparing the doctors with factory workers is a testimony to the feudal mindset that besets among them and is thus highly condemnable. The demand for a secure and safe working environment is a fundamental right of every citizen and is not the freedom of select government officials and ministers only and as such it is extremely difficult for doctors to continue their service in a reign of fear.
But instead of assuaging the concerns of the doctors it seems the government is intent on coercing them to work without providing proper security or justice by threatening to terminate their jobs. Doctors duly acknowledge the fact that the working conditions and public sentiments are more favorable in our institute but in this hour of grave crisis we fervently stand beside our brethren who are subjected to hostility on a daily basis.
So in order to show their solidarity towards the members of medical fraternity who were wrongly victimized and assaulted and also urging the government to take the most stringent action against the perpetrators of violence the NRDA have to observe today as protest day by wearing black bands to work. While they carry on their silent protests against the atrocities committed against medical professionals they would like to assure the public that the normal functioning of the hospital and patient care will not be hampered in any way.
