New Delhi, Aug 28 (Bureau) Central government on Wednesday directed all the state governments to conduct regular drills for handling security threats to healthcare professionals and to enhance awareness by displaying provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to protect them in hospital and medical college premises.Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra co-chaired a virtual meeting with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) of States in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s order to ensure that certain basic minimum measures are put in place by the State Governments and Union Territories.This follows the first meeting of the National Task Force (NTF) constituted by the Supreme Court to formulate a protocol for the safety and security of healthcare professionals.
During the meeting, the State Governments were asked for the proper implementation of state legislation and to have a provision for Chief Security Officers in Hospitals and Medical Colleges, an official statement said.They were asked to conduct police verification of contractual and outsourced employees working in government hospitals, Joint Security audits at Government District Hospitals (DH) and Medical Colleges (MCs) by District Magistrates and Superintendent of Police along with Deans or Directors of DHs and MCs.They were also asked to set up Police chowkis in premises of many large Medical Colleges/District Hospitals, and increase patrolling in the night. The State Governments were also asked to have a sexual complaint and harassment committee in place and active.
They were asked to review CCTV network and strengthen surveillance through additional CCTVs in hospital premises, especially coverage of dark zones, alleys etc.The State government were also asked to make sure that 100 or 112 Helpline numbers are operational in most states, and widely used with good response time. Regular drills for handling security threats and episodes at hospitals with healthcare workers, on similar lines as fire safety drills. Audit of spaces/rooms in hospitals and medical colleges to ensure unutilized rooms/spaces are not misused by undesirable elements, the statement said.The State government were also asked to regulate the number of duty hours of resident doctors and security escorts for women doctors, SRs etc., in some states during late night duty hours from hostel to place of work.