Among the measures which the Centre has directed States to take, including night patrols of the premises of hospitals, and restricting access of certain areas to unauthorized personnel, has been to ensure the safety of doctors and other medical practitioners in their workplaces, so as to abide by the orders of the Supreme Court in the case regarding the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata.
The episode at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkota run by West Bengal government more recently saw the agitation of residents doctors across the country demanding adult protective legislation for health care workers at the various facilities and participation of their colleague from within the system who is not well.
The Health Secretary Apurva Chandra in a memorandum dated 23 August 2004 addressed to the Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police referred to the issue of violence in medical institutions and the recent protests after the incident in Kolkata.
The Supreme Court took up the matter and gave out dates of orders on August 20 and August 22 on the same case he stated.
In its ORDER dated August 22, the court specifically directed: “The Secretary in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shall coordinate with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police with a view to ensure that the State Governments/UTs put into place certain basic minimum requirements pending the receipt of the report of the NTF to allay the apprehensions of the doctors on the issues of safety at the places of their work.” The Supreme Court of India appointed a National Task Force (NTF) which will prepare a mechanism to address safety and security of doctors and healthcare workers.
Mr. Chandra said, “It (the top court) has also directed the State governments to take remedial and appropriate action as the situation demands within a period of two weeks thereafter.”
Towards this, he in the letter mentioned some of the immediate recommendations which can be done to increase the safety of the concern and provide a better working condition for health care providers.
Mr. Chandra accentuated the provision of protection laws for health care personnel and parts of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita on action against violence directed at healthcare workers and associated punishments and fines in installation even more enhanced measures on the premises of hospitals in the local language as well as the English.
The letter included a suggestion for setting up a hospital security committee and a violence prevention committee with members of senior doctors and administrative officer for the purpose of coming up with and putting in place the relevant security measures.
It required them to also safeguard key areas of the hospital and determine the level to which respective people as well as patients’ relatives are allowed to enhance security resources required in restricting movement around the patient and specifically towards them.
The letter suggested adequate provision of safety to the resident doctors, as well as the nurses working in different blocks, hostel buildings, and other areas of the hospital during nighttime duty hours. It asked the hospital to ensure there was appropriate illumination in all areas of the hospital.
In addition, the letter stated that there should be regular stern security surveillance around the hospital building and facilities at night accompanied by a 24 7 operational security room and good collaboration with local law enforcement agencies.
The report also pointed out that the sexual harassment stood committee in the hospitals must be formed as well as reviewing the requirements and conditions of currently installed CCTV cameras.
The ministry has called a conference with the chief secretaries and the director generals of police regarding the preparedness to put these into action.
