We are upgrading the law for the safety of doctors… Central government in action after Kolkata rape-murder incident

New Delhi: The central government has taken a big step regarding the safety of doctors and nurses in hospitals. On the instructions of the Supreme Court, the Union Home Secretary and the Union Health Secretary held a meeting with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all the states. In this meeting, there was a discussion on increasing security in hospitals, appointing ex-servicemen as security personnel and making laws for the safety of doctors. This meeting was held in the case of rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. Since this incident, concerns are being raised about the safety of doctors across the country. A source said that the central government has directed to conduct a comprehensive security audit in hospitals. The District Magistrate, SP and Dean / Director of District Hospitals and Medical Colleges will be involved in this process.

What was special in the meeting?

• In the meeting, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Union Health Secretary Apoorva Chandra discussed several important issues. Along with this, immediate steps to protect the people working in hospitals were also considered as per the instructions of the Supreme Court.
• Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan said that there is a greater security risk in hospitals where a large number of people visit. Any untoward incident at such places can lead to a law and order situation. he/she stressed on identifying such hospitals and increasing security there.
• Mohan asked to conduct a security audit in collaboration with the hospital administration, local police and health officials. he/she said that special attention should be paid to sensitive places like the emergency room and ICU.
• Govind Mohan also stressed on installing and maintaining CCTV cameras in high-risk zones. he/she said that these cameras should be connected to the local police so that the footage can be viewed immediately when needed.
• The meeting also informed that the Home Ministry will draft a ‘model law’, which will serve as a guide for states to amend their laws related to safety and violence in hospitals.
• Many states already have their own laws relating to hospital safety and violence, but it was decided that these laws should be reviewed and aligned with current demands and the latest legal framework.
• It was also proposed in the meeting that there should be strict verification of all outsourced employees and contract workers working in the hospitals.

What instructions did the central government give?

Taking this matter seriously, the central government has issued an advisory to all the states. The central government has instructed the states to make strict security arrangements in hospitals. Along with this, strict action has been asked against those who assault and misbehave with the employees working in the hospitals. Apart from this, the central government is also considering appointing ex-servicemen as security personnel. The central government believes that ex-servicemen have good experience of security and they can help in strengthening the security system in hospitals. The central government has also suggested the states to make laws for the safety of doctors. Many states already have laws for the safety of doctors, but the central government wants that all the states should have such strict laws.

Government’s eye on safety of doctors

On August 22, the Union Health Secretary wrote a letter to all the states and instructed them to form an internal complaint committee in hospitals, make arrangements for the safety of doctors and nurses at night and install CCTV cameras. After this, on August 28, the Union Home Secretary and the Union Health Secretary held a meeting with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all the states. In this meeting, the Supreme Court’s instructions were discussed and a consensus was reached on taking immediate steps for the safety of doctors. The central government believes that these steps will ensure the safety of doctors and nurses in hospitals and they will get a chance to work in a better environment.