In light of the gruesome attack and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and the ongoing protests thereafter by medical students and doctors across the country who are demanding for Central Protection Act to ensure safety of healthcare professionals, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidelines to enhance security in all Central government hospitals/ AIIMS/ INIs.
In a letter addressed to heads of all such hospitals, the Ministry acknowledged that the easy access to government hospitals poses security risks and that hospitals “sometimes become targeted by acts violence, including assault on staff, which can be related to disputes, dissatisfaction with medical care or external criminal activities.”
The Deputy Secretary emphasised on ensuring safety of healthcare professionals and pointed out that violence and harassment against staff can disrupt operations and affect quality of care provided to patients. It was further pointed out that ‘patient rush’ increases the risk for conflicts and security breaches and underscored “a comprehensive approach to security that balances accessibility with effective measures to protect patients, staff and integrity of the facility.”
In view of the challenges, the Health Ministry has directed for the following action to be taken to address the security issues in government hospitals:
i. Proper display of relevant penal provisions of the State legislation to prevent violence against health care workers in hospital premises.
iii. Sufficient number of High-resolution CCTV cameras to be installed at strategic locations including entrances, exits, corridors, dark spots and sensitive areas. In the Control Room, one admin staff should always be stationed along with security persons.
iii. Employment of adequate number of well trained security guards for proper monitoring/ patrolling/surveillance of the premises.
iv. Entry and exist should be strictly monitored to allow entry to authorized personnel only. Identification badges for staff, patients, and visitors may be issued for easy identification of authorised personnel. Display of I card by all Hospital Staff while on duty be made mandatory. Appropriate arrangements be made to ensure that all visitors are monitored.
v. Only one or two attendants be allowed with a patient at any point in time including visiting hours and with an attendant pass only. Restricted access to certain areas may be devised.
vi. Comprehensive plans may be drawn for tackling various types of emergencies. These Plans should be regularly updated and rehearsed including conduct of periodic mock drills to train staff and security personnel for effective responses in emergency scenarios.
vi. All hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and administrative personnel should be trained in recognizing and responding to security threats. They should be equipped with appropriate skills to handle emergency situations effectively.
vii. Public address systems should be devised to quickly disseminate information during emergencies.
ix. Dark spots in the campus should be mapped and adequate lighting in the premises should be ensured particularly in the duty areas of the lady health care staff, parking lots, entryways, etc
x. Hospital Authority should ensure a coordinated response in case of incidents in close coordination with local police and emergency services. Security policies should be updated based on feedback and incident analysis.
xi. Adequate number of well secured duty rooms with basic amenities should be provided for female health professionals. Deployment of lady health professionals at night should be preferably done in more than one number. They should be escorted in premises while on duty and proper arrangement of secured transport should be made for them for any movement at night.
xii. Adequate number of Patient Facilitators and Patient Coordinators to be engaged for assisting patients, providing information and guiding the patients in the Hospitals/Institutes.
