New Delhi: Amid the outrage and widespread over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Centre on Wednesday ordered a slew of safety measures for states to implement for the safety of medics at their workplaces.
The directions listed include night patrolling on the hospital premises and controlled access for people to key areas of a medical establishment. This comes after the Supreme Court order in connection with the hearing of the brutal case that has shocked the country.
The August 9 incident sparked nationwide protests by resident doctors, demanding a central law to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals in their workplaces and justice for their colleague.
In a letter dated August 23 to chief secretaries and director generals of police, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra highlighted the issue of violence in medical institutions and the recent protests that erupted after the Kolkata incident.
Taking suo-motu cognisance of the incident, the Supreme Court delivered orders on August 20 and 22, he said.
Here are the measures listed by Centre for safety of doctors:
- State governments must implement certain basic minimum measures to address doctors’ concerns about their safety at workplaces while awaiting the National Task Force (NTF) report.
- The Supreme Court-appointed NTF will establish a protocol to ensure the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Hospitals should prominently display state laws for healthcare worker protection and relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, including details on penalties and punitive measures, in both the local language and English.
- A hospital security committee and a violence prevention committee should be formed, consisting of senior doctors and administrative officers, to plan and implement effective security measures.
- Hospitals must regulate access to key areas and enforce a strict visitor pass policy for patient attendees or relatives.
- Measures should be taken to ensure the safe movement of resident doctors and nurses between different blocks, hostel buildings, and other areas during night shifts, with proper lighting throughout the hospital premises.
- Routine security patrols should be conducted at night, and hospitals should maintain a 24×7 manned security control room with close coordination with the nearest police station.
- Hospitals should establish an internal committee on sexual harassment and regularly review the condition and placement of CCTV cameras.
- The Centre is convening a meeting with chief secretaries and director generals of police to discuss preparedness for implementing these measures.
