Bhubaneswar: Doctors in medical colleges and hospitals across the state seeking justice in the rape and murder case of a female trainee medic at RG Kar hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday raised several safety gaps at their workplaces and during commuting which needed immediate redressal.
The concerns raised by female doctors included feeling unsafe while travelling from the hospital to hostel and vice-versa, no separate restroom or changing room for women doctors, lack of security personnel in lifts/elevators late night and inadequate CCTV coverage on the premises.

“She was a very sincere and friendly girl. The disturbing fact is that all this happened inside the hospital where she was working and considered her second home,” said Dr Namrata Dutta, a senior resident and a friend of the deceased.
“If a female doctor can be raped and murdered at her workplace then this can happen to someone in another profession as well. She may be a scientist, a sanitary worker or a teacher,” she added.
“The incident has shaken us from inside out. The corridors of the hospital never seemed so scary earlier. Now I am scared to do night duty. I cannot trust anyone after the incident,” said Dr Shree Bhagavati, another senior resident.
“Most female doctors have faced harassment from patients, their attendants and other hospital staff. But a heinous crime like rape and murder is unexpected. Exemplary punishment and a strict law can help. It is high time the govt passes an Act to ensure safety of doctors,” said Dr Subhadarshini Dash, another senior resident.
“We don’t want to continue the protests causing inconvenience to patients. But the silence from the govt is hurting us,” said Suman Sahoo, president of resident doctors’ association at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Govt officials refused to comment on the safety issues faced by female doctors in the state.

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