The Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) of AIIMS, New Delhi, and VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital have jointly appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in the case involving activist Sonam Wangchuk, raising concerns over patient autonomy, medical ethics, and the handling of recent events surrounding his hospitalisation and the police action against protesters.
The two premier medical bodies expressed concern that the developments surrounding Wangchuk’s treatment could have wider implications for the independence of healthcare institutions and the rights of patients. They urged the President to safeguard ethical medical practices and ensure that hospitals continue to function as institutions dedicated solely to patient care.
The appeals come amid continuing public and legal scrutiny over Wangchuk’s hospitalisation following his prolonged hunger strike and the recent protests in Delhi.
AIIMS and Safdarjung RDAs Write to the President
The Resident Doctors’ Associations of AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital submitted separate communications to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in matters related to Wangchuk’s treatment and the recent protest developments.
While both organisations focused on protecting medical ethics and institutional independence, they also highlighted concerns regarding patient rights and the broader functioning of public healthcare institutions.
The doctors stressed that healthcare decisions should remain guided by medical judgment and ethical principles rather than external influences.
Concerns Over Patient Rights
The Safdarjung Hospital RDA raised concerns regarding Wangchuk’s rights as a patient, arguing that mentally competent individuals should retain the right to make informed decisions regarding their treatment.
According to the doctors, patient autonomy forms one of the fundamental principles of modern medical ethics. They urged that these rights be respected while ensuring that appropriate medical care continues to be provided.
The association emphasised that protecting patient autonomy strengthens trust between doctors and patients and upholds internationally accepted standards of medical practice.
Doctors Stress Medical Ethics
Both doctors’ associations highlighted the importance of preserving ethical standards in healthcare.
They argued that hospitals must remain places where clinical decisions are based exclusively on medical considerations and patient welfare. Any perception that healthcare institutions are influenced by non-medical factors, they said, could undermine public confidence in the healthcare system.
The doctors maintained that professional independence is essential for ensuring unbiased treatment and maintaining the integrity of public medical institutions.
AIIMS RDA Calls for Independent Probe
The AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association also called for an independent, impartial, and time-bound inquiry into the recent police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar.
The association expressed concern over reports regarding the use of force during the demonstrations and urged that the matter be examined transparently to establish the facts.
The doctors stated that such an inquiry would help strengthen public confidence while ensuring accountability wherever necessary.
Hospitals Should Remain Independent
A key theme emerging from both appeals was the importance of maintaining the independence of healthcare institutions.
The doctors argued that hospitals are established to provide treatment, healing, and compassionate care without external interference. They stressed that clinical decisions should always remain the responsibility of qualified medical professionals acting in the best interests of their patients.
The associations warned that preserving institutional autonomy is essential for protecting both patients and healthcare workers.
Background to the Wangchuk Case
Sonam Wangchuk has remained under public attention following his prolonged hunger strike in support of the ongoing protest movement.
His hospitalisation at Safdarjung Hospital, subsequent legal proceedings regarding his medical treatment, and the Delhi High Court’s later order permitting his transfer to Medanta Hospital have generated significant public discussion.
The recent appeals by the two RDAs add a medical and ethical dimension to the wider legal and political debate surrounding the case.
Growing Debate Within the Medical Community
The intervention by two of India’s premier medical institutions reflects broader concerns within sections of the medical community regarding patient rights and professional independence.
Doctors have emphasised that safeguarding ethical principles benefits not only individual patients but also strengthens confidence in public healthcare institutions.
Medical professionals have also highlighted the importance of preserving the trust that patients place in doctors by ensuring that healthcare decisions remain transparent, ethical, and clinically driven.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
The letters submitted to the President also underline the importance of transparency in handling medically and politically sensitive cases.
The doctors believe that clear procedures, ethical safeguards, and independent oversight help protect both patient welfare and institutional credibility.
Their appeals reflect growing concern that healthcare institutions should remain neutral spaces where patient care remains the foremost priority irrespective of the surrounding circumstances.
Medical Community Seeks Institutional Safeguards
The appeals by the AIIMS and Safdarjung Resident Doctors’ Associations mark a significant intervention by the medical community in the ongoing Sonam Wangchuk case. By urging President Droupadi Murmu to protect patient rights, uphold medical ethics, and ensure the independence of healthcare institutions, the doctors have highlighted issues that extend beyond an individual case to broader questions of institutional integrity.
As legal proceedings and public discussions continue, the concerns raised by the two premier hospital RDAs are expected to remain central to the debate on patient autonomy, medical professionalism, and the role of healthcare institutions in sensitive public matters.