Centre Approves 25% Increase in Security Across All Central Government Hospitals

Doctors across India are urging the government to pass a special law to protect healthcare personnel from violence. This demand intensified after the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. Resident doctors are holding protests, pushing for a central law that ensures safety in hospitals. In response, the health ministry has approved a 25% increase in security at all central government hospitals.

Increased Security and Proposals

In addition to the standard security measures, officials have stated that government hospitals can request additional marshals after conducting security assessments. However, some officials argue that creating a central law based on the RG Kar case may not be impactful, as this incident was not related to patient-doctor violence. They pointed out that 26 states and Union territories, including West Bengal, Delhi, and Maharashtra, already have laws protecting healthcare workers, making such offenses non-bailable and cognizable.

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Discussions and Next Steps

Officials have met with Resident Doctors' Associations to discuss these concerns. A committee led by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will be formed to review hospital security and facilities like duty rooms and working conditions. They emphasized that hospitals cannot be turned into fortresses and urged doctors to end their strike, as patient care is being disrupted.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support in enacting a central law to address violence against healthcare workers. They have requested that hospitals be designated as safe zones with mandatory security measures.

The nationwide call for action highlights the need for improved safety protocols and legal protections for doctors and healthcare staff working in increasingly challenging environments.