Centre suggests measures to enhance security at hospitals
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health |
| Context |
| ● The Union Health Ministry has proposed enhanced security measures for hospitals, including employing ex-servicemen and integrating with local police, following a recent consultation.
● This comes after the violent attack on a physician in Kolkata, aiming to improve safety for healthcare workers. |
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.
| Practice Question: Considering the rising incidents of violence against healthcare professionals in India, assess the effectiveness of current policies and measures aimed at ensuring the safety of doctors and healthcare workers. What additional steps can be taken to improve their protection in healthcare settings? (250 Words /15 marks) |
