In response to a recent Supreme Court case involving the rape-murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, the federal government has ordered states to put several safety measures in place for medical personnel. A National Task Force (NTF) has been established to create safety guidelines in response to the Supreme Court’s intervention, and the Union Health Secretary and Home Secretary have encouraged states to take immediate security measures.
The Center has ordered states to assess district hospitals’ security, step up night patrols, and control access to large medical institutions in reaction to the incident. The installation of CCTV cameras in blind areas, integration of emergency hotline numbers, and maintenance of strong security measures have been mandated for States and Union Territories (UTs). Healthcare workers have been subjected to an increase in violence and threats; these steps are intended to make their workplaces safer.
The orders from the Supreme Court, which were released on August 20 and 22, stressed that governments must implement fundamental safety precautions until the NTF completes its recommendations. On August 27, the NTF met for the first time, with the cabinet secretary serving as its chair.
Chief secretaries of state departments and chief law enforcement officers were asked to improve security infrastructure during a virtual conference that was co-chaired by the Union Home and Health Secretaries. Joint security audits with district officials, routine personnel inspections, and the installation of control rooms in large hospitals are among the urgent actions that need to be taken. States were urged to use cutting-edge security measures and make sure that CCTV surveillance is thorough and efficiently managed.
In 26 regions, states have already passed legislation to safeguard medical practitioners. Measures including heightened police presence, better CCTV surveillance, and recurring hospital security audits are implemented in addition to these legislation. Some states have formed sexual harassment groups, increased patrols, and placed police outposts on hospital property. Additionally, they’re thinking about adding emergency hotlines just for medical professionals.
The orders also emphasize the necessity of regular security and fire drills, enhanced training for security staff, and the creation of bereavement protocols for medical professionals. States are also urged to set limits on the number of hours resident physicians can work and to provide security guards to cover female staff members at night.
In general, the directives from the Center are meant to tackle the mounting worries about the security of healthcare providers and guarantee that sufficient safeguards are put in place to deter violence and offer a safe and secure work environment.
SOURCE :
THE ECONOMIC TIMES
