New Delhi: There is anger among doctors across the country over the atrocities committed against a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG KAR Medical College and Hospital. Doctors are on strike in many medical institutions of the country. There is a demand for making a law regarding the safety of women doctors in the country. Meanwhile, the officials of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam issued an order which is being criticized a lot.

An advisory has been issued to female doctors and other staff at SMCH to avoid roaming around at night. According to the institute's Principal cum Chief Superintendent Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, this advisory has been issued after the recent atrocities on a female doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. However, this advisory is being criticized a lot.

What orders were given to the doctors?

The advisory suggests female doctors and other staff to avoid moving around in deserted, poorly lit and sparsely populated areas at night.

"Women doctors, students and staff should, as far as possible, avoid situations where they are alone. Do not leave the hostel or lodging room at night unless it is very urgent and inform the concerned authority in advance," Dr Gupta wrote in the advisory.

Medical students raised objections

Medical students have reacted strongly to this advisory. Students say that the authorities should improve the security system instead of asking them to stay in their rooms.

A female doctor, on condition of anonymity, said, “We often face harassment and obscene words from the male staff and male attendants. We have raised the issue several times, but nothing has changed. Instead of giving us proper security inside the premises, the SNCH authorities are now asking us to stay in the rooms.

The Junior Doctors Association (JDS) of SMCH has also condemned this advisory. JDS president Salman Chaudhary, while talking to the English newspaper Hindustan Times, said that we respect their concern, but this is not a solution.

Advisory will be withdrawn: Dr. Bhaskar Gupta

However, Dr Bhaskar Gupta said late Tuesday night that the authorities will withdraw the current advisory and issue a new one. "We will cancel it and issue a new advisory tomorrow," he said.