'Security patrolling, proper lighting': Centre's missive for safety of doctors amid Kolkata rape-murder

National Task Force

Security audits to be carried out with the District Collector and DSP,  hospitals with high footfall to install CCTV cameras in blind spots, mock drills for security to be regularly conducted like safety drills for the fire and safety committee to be institutionalized and involve resident and junior doctors are among the string of security measures the Centre on Wednesday asked the states to undertake to ensure enhanced security and safer working environment for healthcare workers.

The orders came days after the Union health secretary was told by the Supreme Court, during its hearing of the rape-murder case of a junior doctor in Kolkata, to make sure states have the bare minimum in place to address doctors' concerns regarding workplace safety until the court-appointed National Task Force (NTF) develops a protocol.

The cabinet secretary presided over the NTF's inaugural meeting, which took place on Tuesday. The Union home and health ministries' secretaries, along with chief secretaries and director generals of police (DGPs), convened a virtual meeting on Wednesday.

The central government officials said state laws are already in place in 26 states and Union Territories (UTs) for safeguarding healthcare professionals. A statement said that Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra urged others to pass similar legislation.

Chandra wrote a letter to chief secretaries and DGPs on August 23 stating that the Supreme Court had issued orders on August 20 and 22, taking suo-motu cognizance of the Kolkata incident.

Amidst the doctors' concerns about their safety at work, the court had ordered the health secretary to work with chief secretaries and DGPs to ensure that states and UTs implemented "certain basic minimum requirements pending the receipt of the NTF report," among other things, in its order dated August 22.

Following the incident at the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal earlier this month, resident doctors nationwide staged protests to demand the approval of a central law that would ensure health professionals' workplace security and justice for their peers.

Virtually interacting with state representatives, Mohan requested that they make sure CCTV cameras are placed at blind spots, integrate the 112 helpline number for medical professionals, and control access to big hospitals.

According to the release, Chandra emphasized some of the immediate measures that could be taken to boost security provide healthcare professionals a safer workplace.

He suggested conducting joint security assessments by district collectors, deputy superintendents of police, and management from district hospitals and medical colleges to identify shortcomings in infrastructure and security protocols and implement remedial measures.

Chandra recommended doing routine security checks on all recruited security personnel as well as other service staff members. He recommended that security personnel be provided by the State Security Corporation and the Directorate of General Resettlement.

In order to continuously monitor activities and the degree of emergency response preparedness, Chandra stated that security and safety committees should be institutionalized and that students, senior residents, and junior residents should be involved.

He stressed the importance of regular night security patrols in all hospitals and medical schools.

There should be a control room on campuses of health establishments, especially in large district hospitals and medical colleges. Staff at these centres should regularly monitor CCTV cameras and secure data storage, the state officials were told.

Chandra suggested that control rooms handle distress calls and that routine security and fire exercises be held. He also emphasized the importance of training contractual security workers to boost their capabilities.

The health secretary stated that in order to reduce the number of patient attendants and ease the burden and stress on security officers, large hospitals require patient facilitators, trolley men, and multitasking staff to transport patients on wheelchairs and stretchers.

In particular for the emergency and casualty wards, Chandra demanded that medical professionals increase their capacity and receive training on bereavement protocols.

Chief secretaries and DGPs informed Union government officials of the actions taken by states and UTs to create stronger security protocols and safer working environments for healthcare workers in public and private hospitals, medical schools, and other healthcare establishments, according to the statement.

It stated that the following states have state laws protecting healthcare professionals: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Police verification of contractual or outsourced personnel has been started, according to state officials, and hospitals and medical colleges have posted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita rules to protect healthcare professionals.

Many large medical colleges and district hospitals have police outposts or stations on their property, and they reported that patrolling has increased.

They also informed that sexual complaint and harassment committees are in place and active, CCTV networks being reviewed and CCTV camera surveillance on hospital premises, especially dark zones and alleys, being strengthened.

Many states have a control room where CCTV camera coverage is monitored and stored on Cloud.

The state officials also informed that the 100 and 112 helpline numbers are operational in most states, and widely used for with good response time. Extending 112 helpline for protection of health care workers being considered by most states.

They said audit of spaces and rooms in hospitals and medical colleges are being carried out to ensure these are not misused by undesirable elements. Besides these, number of duty hours of resident doctors is being regulated and security escort is being provided to women returning to their hostel at night.