Faced with widespread criticism of its advisory to ensure “enhanced” safety of female doctors, staff and students issued in wake of the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta last week, the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam withdrew its advisory on Wednesday.

The Assam chief minister’s office posted the withdrawal of the eight-point advisory on the X handle as an update with the SMCH authorities mentioning in the fresh notice that they will soon issue soon a “new advisory...following NMC (National Medical Commission) norms and government directives”.

Though no reason was cited for their withdrawal, the advisory faced massive criticism, which most believe has led to the roll-back two days after its issuance on August 12.

The advisory stated that “in the greater interest of doctors, students and staff members” of the SMCH, such as “female doctors, staff and students should generally avoid isolated, poorly lit and sparsely populated areas.”

They should “as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone”, that they should refrain from leaving hostel or lodging rooms during night hours unless absolutely necessary, with prior information to the concerned authority” and that they they should “avoid going off campus during late or odd hours.”

Other suggestions in the advisory, which most said were stifling given the nature of their job and put the safety onus entirely on the doctors, students and staff, included that they be “cautious and avoid associating with individuals” who are unknown to them or appear “suspicious in nature” and that they should “always ensure you have means of making emergency contact.”

One of the suggestions in the advisory said, “While on duty, you should be well composed emotionally, remain alert about the surroundings and should gracefully interact with the public so that you don’t attract unnecessary attention of unscrupulous people.”

The advisory attracted a lot of criticism on social media and also from within the SMCH community with the Junior Doctors’ Association of SMCH describing it as disturbing, asking the authorities to upgrade hospital infrastructure to ensure safety.

Protests at RIMS

The outpatient department (OPD) and non-emergency services in the largest state-owned hospital of Jharkhand, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, continued to be affected for the second day due to the strike of the junior doctors in protest against rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta.

RIMS spokesperson, Dr Rajiv Ranjan said, “However, emergency and surgical procedures are being undertaken at the hospital.”

Additional reporting by Animesh Bisoee