SKIMS Fraternity Expresses Condolences and Solidarity in Wake of Tragic Incident at R.G. Kar Medical College

Srinagar, 13th August 2024:
In response to the tragic Doctor’s Rape-Murder Case at R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, SKIMS organized a condolence meeting today to honor the deceased and express solidarity with the affected community. The gathering was attended by faculty members, resident doctors, including Post DM Residents, Senior Residents, and Junior Residents.
The meeting was marked by a unified expression of anguish and a strong condemnation of the incident. Attendees called for immediate and decisive action to hold the perpetrators accountable, denouncing the crime as heinous and barbaric. The participants extended their deepest sympathy to the deceased and expressed their unwavering support for the medical fraternity.
Dr. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS, addressed the gathering with deep emotional gravity, expressing his profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences in the wake of the tragic incident involving the medical student from R.G. Kar Medical College. He conveyed the collective grief and distress of the SKIMS family, emphasizing that this tragic event has left a deep scar on both the community and the broader medical profession. Dr. Ganie articulated that the gravity of the incident transcends beyond the immediate loss, touching upon the shared sense of vulnerability and outrage felt by all those within the medical field. He stressed that it is imperative that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable and that justice is served to deter future acts of violence. He said that SKIMS would present a memorandum to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of UT J&K, advocating for stringent measures to protect doctors nationwide.
Dean Medical Faculty, Dr. Shariq R. Masoodi, and Medical Superintendent, Dr. Farooq A. Jan, both emphasized the critical need for the rigorous implementation of protection measures and highlighted that the safety and security of medical staff should be a top priority, given the increasing incidents of violence against them. They highlighted the importance of conducting Violence Prevention Programs and underscored that ensuring a safe working environment is essential for allowing healthcare professionals to perform their duties without fear, which ultimately benefits patient care and institutional efficiency.
Representatives of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at SKIMS also voiced their strong condemnation of the incident. They stressed that a proactive approach is essential to create a secure and supportive environment for all healthcare workers, enabling them to focus on their primary mission of providing quality care to patients. The RDA at SKIMS conveyed their deep sorrow over the loss and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. In a show of solidarity and protest, all doctors on duty and medical staff will wear black badges and participate in a march within the hospital premises.