Healthcare Safety Measures Intensify Post Tragedy in Kolkata

The AAP government led by Bhagwant Mann has vowed to enhance security for doctors, especially female healthcare staff, following a horrific incident in Kolkata where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered. Health Minister Balbir Singh has introduced measures for safety audits, operational protocols, and demanded stronger central laws against assaults on medical professionals.

The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government has committed to ensuring the security of all doctors, particularly female healthcare staff, a day after supporting a protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor in Kolkata, according to Health Minister Balbir Singh.

Balbir Singh has directed health department officials to establish District Health Boards for security audits at state health institutes to protect medical professionals, especially female staff. He also mandated that Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) related to security and infrastructure be implemented at all government health institutes within 48 hours.

Singh insisted on eliminating dark spots and required that female medical professionals working night shifts be accompanied by two male staff members when visiting distant wards. Following a meeting with medical associations, Singh called for ₹10 crore ex-gratia from the Centre and West Bengal government for the deceased doctor's parents, along with swift justice and strict punishment for the perpetrators.

Additionally, Singh urged a centralized law to prevent assaults on medical professionals and promised to write to the Union Health Minister for its implementation. The incident involving the postgraduate trainee doctor has sparked nationwide protests and demands for bolstered security at public healthcare centers.

The Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association submitted a memorandum to the state government seeking improved safety measures in public healthcare facilities, with its president, Dr. Akhil Sarin, outlining a comprehensive demand charter in a meeting with Singh and top government officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)