National Medical Commission issues advisory to medical colleges for ensuring safety after Kolkata rape, murder horror

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The National Medical Commission, on the directions of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, issued an advisory to all medical colleges and institutions on August 13 to ensure a safe work place environment.

The move comes following the brutal murder and alleged rape of a doctor inside Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, which sparked nationwide protests demanding basic safety for medicos on campus.

The National Medical Commission notice stated that “incidents of violence against doctors in medical colleges have been reported in the recent past. All medical colleges are requested to develop a policy for safe work environment within the college and hospital campus for all staff members including faculty, medical students, and resident doctors”.

It added that the policy must ensure adequate safety measures at OPD wards, casualty, hostels, and other open areas in the campus and residential quarters.

The corridors and campus must be well lit in the evening for staff to walk safely from one place to another and all sensitive areas ought to be covered by CCTV for monitoring, the NMC notice stated.

Further, medical colleges and institutions have been directed to ensure adequate security measures including posting of adequate security staff – both male and female – at OPD, wards, casualty, labour rooms, hostels, residential quarters and other open areas.

The Commission has also said prompt investigation must be launched by college administration on any act of violence against medicos along; an FIR must also be lodged with the police. A detailed action taken report will invariably be have to be sent to the commission within 48 hours of the incident.