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The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has written to all Central Government-run hospitals, All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country, and health institutes of national importance to enhance their security measures in light of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
In a letter, the health ministry suggests 12 measures to improve security measures, including setting up high-resolution CCTV cameras at strategic locations such as entrances and exits, corridors, dark spots, and sensitive areas. It also says that a control room should be set up for quick response at the time of an emergency.
“It has been evidenced for a long time that Government hospitals are more permeable to public compared to private facilities, making it easier for unauthorised individuals to enter freely. While accessibility is important for providing care, it can also pose security risks…. Ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals is vital,” says the minister in the letter.
The ministry also suggests that an adequate number of secure duty rooms with basic amenities should be created for women health professionals. And, preferably more than one woman should be deployed for the night shifts. “They should be escorted in premises while on duty and proper arrangement of secured transport should be made for them for any movement at night,” the letter says.
It suggests that proper duty rooms should be provided and secure transport should be provided for the movement of women at night.
The letter asks the hospitals to employ an adequate number of well-trained guards for proper patrolling and surveillance. In addition, it asks them to properly display the relevant sections of the penal code of state legislation on the premises.
At least 26 of the 36 states and Union Territories have some legislation to protect doctors and healthcare professionals from violence. The Indian Express recently reported that the demand of protesting doctors for similar Central legislation is unlikely to receive support from the Union health ministry.
The letter also states that entrances and exits should be monitored to allow entry of authorised personnel, patients, and family members of patients who have a pass. “Only one or two attendants be allowed with a patient at any point in time including visiting hours and with an attendant pass only. Restricted access to certain areas may be devised,” the letter from the health ministry says.
One of the suggested measures is also to prepare comprehensive plans for various emergencies — and revise and rehearse these plans from time to time. Security policies should be updated as per feedback and incident analysis, the letter says. It also asks the hospital authorities to coordinate with the local police and emergency services in case of an incident.
The letter also suggests that all hospital staff should be trained in recognising and responding to security threats. And, it says, a public address system for the dissemination of information quickly during emergencies should be there. It says that all dark spots on the campus should be mapped and adequate lighting should be ensured.
The letter also asks the Central hospitals to engage patient facilitators and patient coordinators to assist patients, provide them with information, and guide them.
