New Delhi: India’s medical profession regulator on Tuesday issued an advisory asking medical colleges and hospitals to ensure safety at workplace even as protests rage against the gruesome rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata.
The central government is also planning to seek a status report from the dean and senior management of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital over the incident that occurred on 9 August.
The regulator, National Medical Commission (NMC), will review the report and recommend action against the medical college if it is found not conforming with its guidelines, an official aware of the matter said on the condition of anonymity.
In case deficiencies are found, the hospital may face a reduction in seats or may even be derecognised, the official said. A physical inspection could be conducted in the coming days, the official said.
Queries emailed to the Union Health Ministry spokesperson remained unanswered till going to the press.
There has been a national outcry over the incident, which is being compared to the 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder that prompted India to toughen laws against sexual assault.
Citing recent incidents of violence, B Srinivas, secretary, NMC, said in a communication that all medical colleges should develop a policy for safe workplace environment on the campus for their staff, including faculty, students and resident doctors.
“The policy should ensure adequate safety measures in the OPD, wards, casualty, hostels and other open areas in the campus and residential quarters,” said the advisory reviewed by Mint. “Corridors and campus be well lit in the evening for staff to walk safely from one place to another and all sensitive areas be covered by CCTV for monitoring.”
The NMC sought adequate security measures, including male and female security staff at the OPD, wards, casualty, labour room, hostels, and residential quarters and other open areas on the campus.
“Any incident of violence against medical students should be promptly investigated by the medical college management and FIR should be lodged with the police,” it read. “A detailed action report on any incident of violence should invariably be sent to the NMC within 48 hours of the incident.”
Protests have erupted nationwide at government hospitals and resident doctors have announced an indefinite strike in several places, affecting patient care.
“The whole medical community stands with the doctors of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. We residents, fellows and undergraduates of AIIMS are on indefinite strike, halting academic activities, elective OPDs, and ward and OT services. However, the emergency services are open," said Dr Indra Shekar Prasad, president of the Resident Doctors' Association at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.
Doctors are demanding an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation and a written assurance about implementing the central law to prevent violence against healthcare professionals, and adequate compensation to the victim’s family. The doctors also wanted the suspension of the Kolkata college principal, who later resigned.
According to the Indian Medical Association, more than 75% of doctors have faced some form of violence while on duty. They also face verbal abuse almost every day.
“The safety of healthcare workers is still better in places like Delhi, but if you go and see hospitals in states, they have very poor facilities for doctors and negligible safety,” said Dr Prasad.
