NEW DELHI: Observing that the safety and well-being of doctors is a matter of national interest, the Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the setting up of a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors in the wake of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The SC was hearing the suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata, titled "In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor in RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata and Related Issues," which was registered on August 18.

The SC bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra presided over the case said a lack of institutional safety norms at medical establishments against both violence and sexual violence against medical professionals is a matter of serious concern.

The court said, there are legislations to protect medical professionals but they do not address the systemic issues and said that the task force will submit its interim report within three weeks and the final report within two months. 

The 10 members of the task force are diverse segment of doctors, including Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General, Medical Services (Navy), Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology and AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, Dr M Srinivas, Director of Delhi-AIIMS, Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri, Executive Director, AIIMS Jodhpur, Dr Saumitra Rawat, Chairperson, Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology, GI and HPB Onco-Surgery and Liver Transplantation and Member, Board of Management, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

In addition to the core members, the NTF will also include ex officio members such as the Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India, the Home Secretary, the Secretary of the Union Health Ministry, the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission, and the President of the National Board of Examiners.

The NTF has been tasked with the critical responsibility of devising an action plan to ensure the safety and well-being of medical professionals, with a particular focus on preventing gender-based violence and creating dignified working conditions for interns, resident doctors, and non-resident doctors, according to an Indian Express report.

The apex court asked the NTF to formulate an action plan under two sub-heads Preventing violence, including gender-based violence against medical professionals; and providing an enforceable national protocol for dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents, senior residents, doctors, nurses and all medical professionals.

"The NTF shall be at liberty to make recommendations on all aspects of the action plan highlighted above and any other aspects which the members seek to cover. They are at liberty to make additional suggestions, where appropriate.

"The NTF shall also suggest appropriate timelines by which the recommendations could be implemented based on the existing facilities in Hospitals. The NTF is requested to consult all stakeholders," the bench said, adding that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide all logistical support including making arrangements for travel, stay and secretarial assistance and bear the expenses of the members of the NTF.

The court has also directed the NTF to submit an interim report on its proposed action plan within three weeks, with a final report due within two months. The task force is also expected to provide appropriate timelines for the implementation of its recommendations, ensuring they align with the existing infrastructure of hospitals across the country.