RDA demands FIR against culprits
Mansoor Peer
Srinagar, May 24: Doctors across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday strongly condemned the alleged assault and harassment of medical professionals at GMC Rajouri, demanding stringent action against those responsible.
They warned of launching an indefinite strike from May 25 if the authorities fail to take satisfactory action.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA), GMC Rajouri, said a serious incident occurred on May 17 at around 9:00 pm in the Labour Room of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBGY).
According to the association, an individual unlawfully entered the highly sensitive labour room area during night duty hours, interfered with medical procedures, and engaged in unauthorized videography.
“The accused was recording female patients while they were in a vulnerable and partially clothed condition during examination and treatment, thereby violating patient dignity, privacy and safety,” the RDA alleged.
The association further stated that the accused obstructed doctors from performing their duties, threatened resident doctors and healthcare workers, and used abusive and intimidating language inside the labour room.
The RDA demanded immediate registration of an FIR and strict legal action against those involved. It also sought the deployment of adequate security personnel in the Emergency Department, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Operation Theatre Complex, and other sensitive patient-care areas.
Among its other demands are the installation and strengthening of CCTV surveillance systems in vulnerable zones of the hospital and the implementation of a rapid-response security protocol to deal with incidents of violence against healthcare workers.
The association warned that if the administration fails to take visible and satisfactory action, all Junior Residents (JRs), Senior Residents (SRs), and Postgraduate Residents (PGs) of GMC Rajouri will begin an indefinite strike from 10 a.m. on May 25.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Medical Association (DMA) also condemned the alleged harassment, intimidation, unauthorized intrusion, and misconduct faced by female doctors and healthcare staff in the Department of Gynaecology at GMC Rajouri.
“Such actions are unacceptable, unlawful, and represent a direct attack on the dignity, safety and professional independence of healthcare workers,” said DMA State President Dr Sushant and Vice President Dr Imran.
The association said no doctor should have to work under fear, intimidation, or humiliation while serving patients. It added that repeated incidents of harassment against doctors, particularly female healthcare professionals on night duty, expose serious gaps in institutional security.
“We urge the administration and authorities to ensure strict legal action against the accused and implement robust safety measures across all hospitals,” the DMA said.
The association also demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident and strict legal action against all accused individuals.
Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) expressed solidarity with the protesting resident doctors and strongly condemned the incident.
“The violation of patient privacy, especially during vulnerable examinations, is unacceptable and must be condemned,” FAIMA said.
The association demanded immediate action, including registration of an FIR, deployment of trained security personnel, strict restrictions on unauthorized visitors, and a complete ban on unauthorized videography within hospital premises.