In response to the ongoing protests by resident doctors over the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, the Indian Health Ministry has directed a 25 percent increase in security deployment at all union government hospitals. This measure aims to address safety concerns amidst the unrest and to reassure medical staff of their security. The heightened security will include additional marshals, subject to the specific needs of individual hospitals after a security assessment.
The tragic incident at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has spurred nationwide protests by doctors who are calling for a central law to protect healthcare workers. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other doctors’ associations are demanding not only a specific law but also improved safety protocols in hospitals. They have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and support their request for stricter regulations and enhanced security measures in healthcare facilities.
Despite the heightened security measures, some official sources have expressed skepticism about the impact of a central law in this context. They argue that the alleged rape and murder of the Kolkata doctor was not a case of patient-doctor violence, and such crimes are already addressed under existing laws. Furthermore, they point out that 26 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Delhi, and Maharashtra, have enacted legislation to protect healthcare personnel, making such offenses cognizable and non-bailable.
A committee led by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will be formed to review and improve hospital security, working conditions, and facilities for residents. This committee will examine various aspects, including duty hours, conditions, and canteen services, aiming to enhance overall safety and work environments in hospitals.
The ongoing strike by resident doctors in the national capital, which has lasted for a week, has significantly impacted patient care. In response to the disruptions, the Health Ministry has urged doctors to resume normal duties, stressing that hospitals cannot be fortified like military installations and that patient care is suffering due to the strike.
The resident doctors have decided to continue their strike and will offer elective outpatient services in around 36 specialties outside Nirman Bhawan on Monday. Their continued protests underscore the urgency they feel regarding their safety and the broader need for systemic changes to ensure a secure working environment for medical professionals.
SOURCE :
THE PRINT
