The brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor in August 2024 at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, India, sent shockwaves through the medical system. The 31-year-old postgraduate trainee was found dead after being sexually assaulted within the hospital premises during her 36 hour on-call shift.1 This tragedy, which sparked protests in India and worldwide, highlights a critical problem that India cannot ignore: the urgent need for comprehensive protections against violence targeting healthcare workers.23 This horrific incident not only marks a dark chapter in India’s healthcare system, but also raises a crucial question: why are healthcare professionals, particularly women, left vulnerable to such violence while on duty?Violence against healthcare professionals is a common recurring theme throughout the world. It can manifest in various ways, including verbal abuse and physical violence.4 Rape and murder are extreme manifestations of the workplace violence faced by healthcare staff. In…
