The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Centre, states and Union Territories to report within a month on the measures in place to protect the medical fraternity from possible attacks.
“All State Governments and UT Governments, through their secretaries, in the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare and the Central Government, through the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, must collate information from all hospitals run by the State and the Central Government, respectively, on the following aspects,” the apex court said.
These aspects are:
- How many security personnel are employed at each hospital and department;
- Whether there’s a mechanism to screen baggage and people at the entrance;
- The number of resting/ duty rooms in the hospital, and at each department individually;
- The facilities provided at the resting/ duty rooms;
- Whether all areas of a hospital are accessible to the public and, if so, with or without security restrictions;
- Whether there are CCTV cameras at the hospital. If yes, how many and at which locations;
- Whether the institution trains medical professionals to appropriately handle the grief of patients (and families). If yes, the details of the training must be provided;
- Whether the hospital employs social workers specialising in handling the grief of patients’ families. If yes, how many;
- Whether there are police posts within the hospital premises;
- Whether the hospital has an internal complaints committee, formed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013;
- Whether the employer (establishment) has discharged its duties as prescribed under Section 19 of the 2013 Act. If so, details are to be provided.
“The data as submitted shall be tabulated and filed with an affidavit by the Union Government within one month of this order,” the bench said.
The directive came in connection with the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta.