Kolkata: While some of the Bengal government’s steps for ensuring safety for working women are being appreciated, doctors and nurses said they did not support the pointer on avoiding night shifts as much as possible, terming such curbs regressive. On Saturday, the state had announced a slew of security measures for working women in the aftermath of the R G Kar Medical College rape and murder case.
“Night shifts are an integral part of clinical learning for medical students. It is the PGTs who take a lead in patient care during the night exposing them to various patient situations which in turn helps them become good doctors. All that women doctors need is a congenial environment and safety and not keeping them away from night shifts,” said neurologist Jasodhara Chaudhuri.
The state on Saturday announced a slew of steps to provide safe working conditions to women on night shifts in govt hospitals and medical colleges, and other workplaces engaging women during the night. Pointers included designated rest rooms for women, night police patrolling and identity cards hung and displayed by the faculty, staff and security guards in medical colleges and hospitals. In additional points, it was mentioned: “Working hours of women, including women doctors, should not exceed 12 hours at a time. Wherever possible, night duty may be avoided for women to the extent possible.”
“Our work is regardless of day and night. If in 2024 they ask us to avoid night duty if possible, it is absolutely regressive. Why should women sit back at home at night? They should ensure that culprits are punished so that it can be an example for others and we can hope for a safer workplace, regardless of day and night,” said Amrita Pratihar, a second-year BSc nursing student
While women PGTs of various government medical colleges and hospitals have agreed with steps on reducing excessive workload and designated rest rooms, they relented on the step of avoiding night shifts.
A third-year-old PGT at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital insisted on securing the workplace instead of restricting their night shifts. Another PGT pointed out that this step will only create gender divides.
Hospital administrators said keeping women PGTs, interns and house staff away from night shifts means denying them crucial learning.
“Also, the nursing workforce in govt sector is basically a women contingent, with only a handful of male nurses. If we take nurses away from the night shifts who will tend to patients? While some of the measures are appreciable, there is problem in implementing some,” said an official of a medical college in Kolkata. Administrator of another medical college said pairing of women doctors at night was not feasible for departments like the surgery where number of women PGTs is very few.