In an effort to improve the security and safety of medical personnel, the state of Goa will publish an ordinance amending the Clinical Establishment Act, according to an announcement made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on August 27, 2024. It is anticipated that this ordinance will go into effect by September 15, 2024. The action was taken in response to growing worries regarding healthcare workers’ safety, which were brought to light by a recent workshop on the subject held by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
The goal of the Clinical Establishment Act’s upcoming revisions is to close any legal protection gaps that currently exist for physicians and medical workers. The government’s commitment to implementing the required reforms to guarantee that medical professionals operate in a safer environment was underscored by Chief Minister Sawant. The government’s commitment to resolving safety issues in the medical industry is shown in the ordinance’s increased protection.
The workshop was convened in response to a terrible occurrence involving the suspected rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata. Notable attendees included Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Chief Secretary Punit Goyal, and Director General of Police Alok Kumar. The severity of the situation has highlighted the immediate need for stricter laws and improved safety procedures for medical personnel.
Chief Minister Sawant has suggested adjustments to hospital infrastructure and administration in addition to legal measures. He underlined the necessity of taking stronger measures to protect medical professionals and proposed that the judicial system make it harder for those who are accused of crimes against medical professionals to obtain bail. The purpose of this strategy is to discourage future offenders and foster a stronger feeling of accountability.
Sawant further demanded improved coordination between the medical community and law enforcement. He proposed that increasing confidence between law enforcement and healthcare professionals could contribute to increased security and safety. The Chief Minister promoted workshops and counseling sessions to educate female police sub-inspectors on how to handle cases involving attacks on doctors and similar crimes, given that a sizable percentage of healthcare workers are women.
Similar to Sawant, state health minister Vishwajit Rane emphasized that the administration places a high priority on the security of healthcare providers and is dedicated to expediting the required changes to the Clinical Establishment Act.
The Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) President, Dr. Aayush Sharma, expressed worries on the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital’s lack of security. He mentioned that the state government has been informed of these worries and has promised to take urgent action to resolve the safety problems that resident physicians are facing.
All things considered, the new initiatives and proposed changes demonstrate the Goa government’s proactive approach to enhancing healthcare workers’ safety and resolving persistent security issues.
SOURCE ;
THE PRINT
