NEW DELHI: Centre has decided to increase security personnel by 25% at all hospitals run by it in view of the protests by doctors demanding better safety and security for healthcare workers following the Aug 9 rape-murder of an on-duty doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. It has also directed these hospitals to deploy marshals for immediate security-related assistance, sources in the Union health ministry said on Monday.
However, introduction of a new central law to deal with violence against healthcare workers wasn’t necessary, the sources said.”Bringing a law based on the RG Kar incident won’t make a huge difference as this wasn’t a case of patient-doctor violence. Rapes and murders are covered under existing laws,” said one of the sources. Moreover, 26 states and UTs have already passed legislations to protect medics, the source pointed out.
Government to set up panel to look into security of doctors at hospitals
The Union health ministry has been holding regular meetings with protesting doctors in Delhi, including those from Indian Medical Association, Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association and Federation of All India Medical Association, among others.
A committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to look into various aspects of security and facilities at hospitals for resident doctors, as well as their working hours and canteen services. “Hospitals are public facilities and cannot be turned into fortresses. We have urged the doctors to call off their strike because patient care is being affected,” a government source said.
Doctors across the country have been demanding quick enactment of a special law to deal with violence against healthcare personnel and implementation of improved safety protocols within medical facilities to ensure a secure working environment. Indian Medical Association has also sought PM Narendra Modi’s “benign” intervention in realising their demands that includes a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel and declaring hospitals safe zones, like airports, with mandatory security entitlements.
However, introduction of a new central law to deal with violence against healthcare workers wasn’t necessary, the sources said.”Bringing a law based on the RG Kar incident won’t make a huge difference as this wasn’t a case of patient-doctor violence. Rapes and murders are covered under existing laws,” said one of the sources. Moreover, 26 states and UTs have already passed legislations to protect medics, the source pointed out.
Government to set up panel to look into security of doctors at hospitals
The Union health ministry has been holding regular meetings with protesting doctors in Delhi, including those from Indian Medical Association, Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association and Federation of All India Medical Association, among others.
A committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to look into various aspects of security and facilities at hospitals for resident doctors, as well as their working hours and canteen services. “Hospitals are public facilities and cannot be turned into fortresses. We have urged the doctors to call off their strike because patient care is being affected,” a government source said.
Doctors across the country have been demanding quick enactment of a special law to deal with violence against healthcare personnel and implementation of improved safety protocols within medical facilities to ensure a secure working environment. Indian Medical Association has also sought PM Narendra Modi’s “benign” intervention in realising their demands that includes a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel and declaring hospitals safe zones, like airports, with mandatory security entitlements.