The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the case of brutality with a female doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital and heard the case and severely reprimanded the West Bengal government. The Supreme Court has summoned the task status report from the CBI by August 22. At the same time, the Supreme Court has formed a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) for the safety of health workers. Medical members have also been included in it. Apart from this, central government officials including the Cabinet Secretary will also be included as additional officials. The Supreme Court has also prepared an action plan for the safety of doctors and other health workers.
Who will be in the National Task Force?
The decision of the National Task Force has been welcomed by the government as well. The Supreme Court said that we cannot wait for another rape to bring about change. In such a situation, it is necessary to form a task force immediately. The names of the members of the task force are as follows-
Dr. D Nageswara Reddy
Dr. M Srinivas (Director AIIMS Delhi)
Dr. Pratima Murthy
Dr. Goverdhan Dutt Puri
Dr. Saumitra Rawat
Prof. Anita Saxena
Prof. Pallavi Sarpe
Dr. Padma Shrivastava
Apart from this, additional members from the government in the task force include Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Health Secretary, Chairman of the National Medical Commission and Chairman of the National Board of Examiners.
CJI DY Chandrachud made a sharp comment saying that even separate restrooms are not available for nurses and female doctors in the hospitals. Vehicle facility is also not provided during night shifts. The CCTV cameras of the hospitals do not work properly and no vigilance is maintained regarding weapons in the hospital. In such a situation, serious questions arise on the security of hospitals.
The Supreme Court has asked NTF to prepare an action plan to prevent gender-based violence. The Supreme Court has also announced the action plan. The Supreme Court said that there should be additional security facilities in the emergency room. There should be adequate screening to prevent weapons from being carried into the hospital. If there are no patients, unnecessary people should not be allowed to enter the hospital. Apart from this, adequate security personnel should be prepared to control the crowd.
Separate rest rooms and common rooms should be arranged for doctors and nurses according to male and female. Biometric and physical recognition should be arranged at such places. There should be adequate lighting and CCTV arrangements at these places. Vehicle facility should be provided from 10 pm to 6 am.