Centre Holds meeting over workplace safety of doctors

• The Centre’s directions came after the Supreme Court, while hearing the rape-murder case of a doctor in Kolkata, ordered the Union health secretary to ensure States have basic measures in place to assuage doctors

Highlights:

• In light of growing concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals at their workplaces, the Central government convened a high-level virtual meeting with Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) of various states on August 28, 2024.
• This meeting, co-chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, was part of a broader effort to implement immediate safety measures and address the concerns of doctors nationwide.

The Immediate Trigger: The Kolkata Incident

• The urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent tragic event at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, where a junior doctor was allegedly raped and murdered.
• This incident sparked nationwide protests among resident doctors, who demanded a Central law to ensure the safety of health professionals at their workplaces. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) took a firm stance by suspending the membership of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the college, amid a CBI investigation into the case.

Key Measures Discussed

1. Installation of CCTV Cameras: To monitor blind spots and ensure better surveillance, the Centre directed state governments to install CCTV cameras in hospitals and medical colleges..
2. Integration of Helpline Services: The 112 helpline number, which is already operational for emergency services, was advocated to be integrated for healthcare workers, ensuring quick response in case of any threats or emergencies.
3. Regulated Access and Increased Security Personnel:. This includes the deployment of trained security personnel, with a focus on police verification of contractual and outsourced employees to prevent any security lapses.
4. Joint Security Audits: Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra suggested that district collectors, deputy superintendents of police, and hospital management teams conduct joint security audits. These audits would help identify and address any shortcomings in the current infrastructure and security arrangements.
5. Awareness and Legal Provisions: State governments were urged to ensure the proper implementation of existing state legislations that protect healthcare professionals.

• Awareness campaigns were recommended, including the display of relevant provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) within hospital premises to remind all stakeholders of the legal protections in place.

6. Routine Security Patrols and Control Rooms: The importance of routine night-time security patrols in hospitals and medical colleges was stressed.

• The establishment of control rooms on health establishment campuses, particularly in large district hospitals, was also recommended to monitor CCTV footage and respond to distress calls efficiently.

7. Training and Capacity Building: The Centre also emphasized the need for regular training of contractual security personnel to ensure they are well-equipped to handle any security threats.

Prelims takeaways:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)