On behalf of the Union Health Ministry, the Union Home Secretary and Health Secretary held a meeting with all the states today regarding the safety of doctors and health care workers in which immediate steps were discussed to protect doctors and health professionals. The Home Secretary and the Union Health Secretary today chaired a virtual meeting with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of the states, as per the order of the Supreme Court, to ensure that certain basic steps were taken by the State Governments/Union Territories to address their concerns about the safety of doctors before the report of the National Task Force (NTF) is received.
In today’s meeting, officials of State Governments/UTs, including Chief Secretaries and DPGs, informed about the steps taken by the respective governments to enhance security and provide safe working environment for health care workers in public and private hospitals, medical colleges and other health institutions.
Issues on which instructions have been given after discussion with the state governments
Proper implementation of existing state laws in 26 states and union territories (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) for the protection of healthcare professionals. States without such laws were asked to enact necessary legislation.
To increase awareness for safety of health professionals by displaying provisions of Indian Judicial Code
Appointment of Chief Security Officers in hospitals and medical colleges
Police verification of contractual/outsourced employees working in government hospitals. Joint security audit of government district hospitals (DHs) and medical colleges (MCs) by the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, along with the Deans/Directors of DHs and MCs. Police chowki/police station available on the premises of many big medical colleges/district hospitals, and increased patrolling by police at night.
Sexual complaints/harassment committee to be set up and activated. Review of CCTV network and strengthening surveillance through additional CCTVs to cover hospital premises, especially dark areas, lanes, etc. Many states have a control room where CCTV coverage is monitored and also stored in the cloud. Review of lighting in various parts of medical colleges, district hospitals and other health institutions. 100/112 helpline number is operational in most states, and is widely used with good response time. Most states are considering expanding the 112 helpline for the safety of health care workers.
Regular drills to handle security threats and incidents with health care staff in hospitals, like fire safety drills. Auditing of spaces/rooms in hospitals and medical colleges to ensure that unused rooms/spaces are not misused by unruly elements.
Regulating the number of duty hours of resident doctors. Providing security escort for lady doctors, SRs etc. from hostel to work place during late night duty hours in some states.
States were requested to ensure that the instructions given are followed in hospitals with high footfall, including
Installation of CCTV cameras in blind spots.
Integration with 112 helpline for health care workers.
Access control for major hospitals.
Partnership of reorganized status under the Indian Justice Code (BNS)
The Union Health Secretary encouraged the States to come up with innovative ideas and emphasised on immediate measures that may be considered to enhance protection and provide a safe working environment for healthcare workers.
Joint security audit with the District Collector and DSP, and with the management of DH/MC to review any deficiencies in the existing infrastructure and security arrangements and take remedial measures.
Carry out regular safety checks of all employed security and other service staff.
Provision of security personnel by DGR/State Security Corporation.
Control room, especially in larger DH/MCs, having duty roster of staff who regularly monitor the CCTVs and store the data securely.
Responding to distress calls by the control room.
Conducting mock drills regularly for safety, like fire safety drills.
Training to enhance the capacity of deployed security personnel; in many establishments they are found to be weak in performing their duties.
Patient Facilitators/Trolley Men/MTS are required in large hospitals to carry patients on wheelchairs/stretchers to reduce the number of patient attendants and reduce the load and stress on security and other healthcare professionals.
Capacity building and training of doctors and other health workers in bereavement protocols, especially in the emergency/casualty wards.
Institutionalize Safety and Security Committee and involve senior/junior residents and students for continuous monitoring of the situation and status of emergency response preparedness.
‘Regular Security Patrol’ at night time in all hospital/medical college premises.
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