Centre suggests measures to enhance security at hospitals

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

 Measures suggested by the central government:

• Employ Ex-Servicemen: Use ex-servicemen and State security forces as security personnel in high-risk hospital areas to enhance safety.
• Action Plan: States and Union Territories must implement 11 safety measures and submit an action taken report by September 10, as directed by the Health Ministry.
• Hospital Prioritization: Identify hospitals with high footfall as high-priority for security improvements.
• Local Police Integration: Integrate with local police to share video footage of incidents promptly for swift responses and investigations.
• Background Checks: Conduct robust background checks for outsourced and contractual personnel in hospitals.
• Bereavement Protocols: Train healthcare workers to handle emotional situations and establish bereavement protocols to manage tensions among grieving families.
• Security Audits: Perform security audits with health and police authorities to assess and improve measures, focusing on high-risk areas like emergency rooms and ICUs.
• CCTV Installation: Ensure proper installation and functioning of CCTV cameras in high-risk areas, monitored from a central control room.
• Internal Security Committee: Establish an internal security committee in hospitals involving residents and students with clear incident response protocols.