Centre suggests measures to states on safety of medics

In a significant move to address the growing concern over violence against medical professionals, the Centre has issued a comprehensive set of directives to states, urging them to implement robust security measures in healthcare facilities.

This development comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court order, prompted by the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, which sent shockwaves through the medical community nationwide.

The Union government's response, spearheaded by the health and home ministries, outlines a multi-faceted approach to enhancing safety in hospitals and medical colleges. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan co-chaired a virtual meeting on Wednesday, attended by chief secretaries and director generals of police (DGPs) from across the country, to discuss and disseminate these crucial directives.

"The safety of our healthcare workers is paramount," stated Health Secretary Chandra during the meeting. "We must take immediate and concrete steps to create a secure environment where medical professionals can perform their duties without fear," he said.

The directives encompass a comprehensive set of measures aimed at bolstering security and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. These measures include mandatory security audits, where district collectors, deputy superintendents of police, and hospital management are tasked with jointly assessing district hospitals...and medical colleges to promptly identify and rectify infrastructure and security deficiencies.

To enhance surveillance, the installation of CCTV cameras, especially in blind spots, is required, along with the creation of control rooms for continuous monitoring of hospital premises.