'24x7 security, patrolling': Centre's directives for safety of doctors
The Union Health Ministry has issued a series of directives to all states, aimed at ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and doctors. This move comes in response to widespread protests following the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The ministry has communicated these guidelines through a letter addressed to chief secretaries and director general of police from each state.
Ministry urges states to implement basic safety measures
The Health Ministry's letter emphasizes the need for state authorities to "put into place certain basic minimum requirements pending the receipt of the report of the National Task Force (NTF) to assuage the concerns of doctors over their safety at their workplaces." The Supreme Court-appointed NTF is tasked with developing a protocol for ensuring safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Ministry sets two-week deadline for action
The ministry has also set a two-week deadline for state governments to take remedial and appropriate action in light of the urgent situation. Other directives include displaying state laws for healthcare workers' protection and relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) with punitive or penalty details in prominent places inside hospital premises, in both local language and English.
Health Ministry's directives for enhanced security
The ministry also recommends constituting 'Hospital security committee' and 'Violence prevention committee,' involving senior doctors and administrative officers to strategize and implement appropriate security measures. It called for regulation of access for public and patient relatives to key areas of the hospital by following a strict visitor pass policy. It also stresses on provision for safe movement of resident doctors or nurses within different blocks and hostel buildings, and other areas of the hospital during night duties.
Proper lighting inside all areas of residential and hostel blocks
Proper lighting inside all areas of residential and hostel blocks, as well as other hospital premises is another directive issued by the ministry. Moreover, it has recommended setting up a 24x7 manned security control room, and following routine security patrolling in all hospital premises during nighttime. It also urges for close cooperation with the nearest police station and constitution of an internal committee on sexual harassment. Finally, it urged states to ensure that CCTV cameras are operational across campuses.
