Survey Shows Safety Concerns for Night-Shift Doctors

A recent Indian Medical Association (IMA) survey revealed that one-third of doctors, predominantly women, feel unsafe during night shifts, with some even carrying weapons for self-defense. Conducted in response to the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the survey involved 3,885 doctors from over 22 states, making it the largest of its kind in India. Approximately 45% of respondents lacked access to duty rooms, which were often inadequate due to overcrowding, lack of privacy, and missing locks. The study highlighted that younger doctors, especially interns and postgraduates, felt the least safe. The findings call for improvements like trained security personnel, CCTV installations, better lighting, and secure duty rooms. The study will be published in the Kerala Medical Journal's October 2024 issue.