Centre Implements Protective Measures for Doctors After Tragic Incident

The Centre has urged states to bolster security for healthcare workers following a Supreme Court directive. This comes after the rape-murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Measures include night patrolling, visitor regulation, and forming security committees to protect medics at workplaces.

The Centre has instructed states to enhance security measures for healthcare workers in response to a Supreme Court directive following a tragic incident at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The measures aim to ensure the safety of medics at workplaces.

The August 22 Supreme Court order urged the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to work with state authorities to implement basic safety protocols while awaiting recommendations from the National Task Force (NTF). The Court emphasized the need for immediate action to address doctors' safety concerns.

Key measures include night patrolling, regulated access for patients' relatives to hospital areas, a strict visitor pass policy, and improved lighting. Hospitals have been advised to form security and violence prevention committees and to liaise closely with local police. A meeting to discuss preparedness is scheduled with chief secretaries and police chiefs.

(With inputs from agencies.)