Will Guwahati’s female doctors and nurses ever feel safe in their workplaces, or will their security remain an empty promise even after the nationwide strike due to the recent rape-murder case?
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Across India, the healthcare system is struggling with a profound crisis, one that has brought to the forefront the safety and security of women medical professionals. Public hospital services have been severely disrupted as hundreds of thousands of doctors continue their national strike, protesting the brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor on August 9 in Kolkata. This incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests by medical professionals not just in Kolkata but across the nation, including Guwahati.
The incident has highlighted a pattern of violence against women in the medical profession, raising serious questions about their safety while on duty. In cities like Delhi and Kolkata, the protests have reached a fever pitch, with resident doctors abandoning outpatient services and routine surgeries to voice their anger and demand justice. Guwahati, too, has not been immune to the ripple effects of this national crisis.
The incident of August 9 was not an isolated one. Just days after this brutal crime, a nurse working at a private hospital in Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur was allegedly raped, murdered, and her body dumped in a vacant plot in a village near the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border. This back-to-back violence against women healthcare workers has underscored the alarming vulnerability they face, even in their workplaces.
Even in Assam, the shadow of such violence looms large. The state has not forgotten the case of Sarita Toshniwal, who was brutally murdered inside the Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh while on duty. The accused, a fellow doctor and a ward boy, highlighted the reality that the perpetrators of such heinous acts can sometimes be found within the very institutions meant to heal and protect.
Guwahati, the largest city in Assam and the gateway to Northeast India, has been no exception to the anxiety and fear gripping women in the medical profession.
To understand the situation on the ground, GPlus conducted a survey and spoke to several women doctors and nurses working in various hospitals across the city.
Talking to GPlus, one nurse from a well-known hospital in Guwahati, seeking anonymity said, "We definitely do not feel safe during our duty hours because most of the wards do not have CCTV cameras. The absence of surveillance makes us vulnerable, especially during the night shifts when the hospital corridors are eerily quiet and isolated," she said, her voice tinged with concern.
Another trainee doctor, who also requested anonymity, shared similar apprehensions. "Night duty is particularly scary because we have only one sister (nurse) in every ward. The shortage of staff during night shifts means we are often alone, making us easy targets," she revealed. The trainee’s words reflect a common sentiment among her peers, a fear that is exacerbated by the presence of intoxicated patients or their attendants, who are often belligerent and difficult to handle.
Adding to the anxiety, another woman doctor from a private hospital pointed out a particularly unsettling issue: "It is scary because many people just roam around the hospital without any apparent reason. When we ask them why they are there, they just say they have someone in the hospital. But often, their presence feels suspicious, and it’s hard to feel safe when you don’t know who’s around," she explained.
Another senior doctor of private hospital talking to GPlus said, "Working in the ICU can be particularly daunting. There have been instances where attendants have tried to force their way in, even during critical situations. Without proper security, it's hard to focus on our work when we’re constantly worried about our own safety."
"I often feel uneasy during late-night rounds, especially in areas of the hospital that are poorly lit or less crowded. There’s always a worry at the back of my mind about what could happen if someone with bad intentions were to enter these spaces.", a private hospital in GS Road said.
A senior nurse from NH 27 seeking anonymity while talking to GPlus said, "The hospital I work at is located in a somewhat isolated area, and that makes it even more frightening when we have night shifts. We have asked for more security measures like increased patrols or better lighting in the parking areas, but not much has changed."
The ongoing protests and strikes by medical professionals across India have brought to light the deep-seated issues of gender-based violence and the lack of security that women in the medical field face daily. These incidents are not just isolated cases but are symptomatic of a larger, systemic problem that needs urgent addressing.
However, the GMCH notice was issued only after the incident in Kolkata, highlighting the need for a more proactive approach to ensuring the safety of women medical professionals.
Amidst these rising concerns, some institutions have taken steps to address the safety of their female staff. The Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) recently issued a notice aimed at ensuring the safety of on-duty female doctors during night hours. The notice, which was shared with GPlus, reads:
"To ensure the safety and convenience of all on-duty female doctors (including PGTs and Interns) during night hours (9:00 PM to 7:00 AM), a dedicated vehicle will be available at the Casualty Department, GMCH. On-duty female doctors requiring transportation between the main hospital campus, Superspeciality Hospital (SSH), CN Center, and Hostel No.3 should contact the on-duty Casualty Officer. The Casualty Officer will arrange transportation and ensure a female security guard accompanies the vehicle for the on-duty doctor attending calls in different Wards/Units. This order will come into effect immediately."
The big question remains: Will Guwahati ever be safe for women doctors and nurses, or is their safety destined to be just another empty promise?
