The Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for the safety and security of healthcare professionals held its inaugural meeting under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary on Tuesday.
It decided to conduct broader consultations with key stakeholders to identify critical issues and develop a comprehensive framework for protecting those in the healthcare field.
Soon after the NTF panel also favoured setting up an online portal seeking suggestions from public, the Union Health Ministry shared a link in this regard, posting on the X social platform, “Suggestions to NTF”— http://serviceonline.gov.in/directApply.do?serviceId=2987) for seeking suggestions from individuals and different stakeholders across the country.
“It is operational as of today.”
The 10-member panel was set up following Apex court's suo motu action last week regarding the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, a case that ignited nationwide protests and disrupted medical services.
Given the gravity of the situation, on Wednesday, a meeting co-chaired by the Union home secretary and Union health secretary will be held with state chief secretaries and DGPs through video conference to discuss short term measures regarding the security of medical professionals.
The NTF members informed that they have been approached directly by various stakeholders and have individually received almost 300 to 400 suggestions.
The states have also been requested to provide information on the security measures available in the medical institutions. A Google sheet has been shared with the states for this purpose, the officials said.
The panel plans to engage with organizations such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and resident doctors' associations to gather diverse perspectives and input. A source noted the urgency of the task, highlighting the need for a swift and inclusive approach.
"It was decided that the NTF will interact further with stakeholders such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA), resident doctors associations concerned because it is important to know their viewpoints and hear them out besides reading the representations. Also there is a limited timeline so the draft needs to be readied as soon as possible," said the official.
"We have already deliberated on some of the inputs but we would expand those and hold deliberations further to make it more inclusive and comprehensive so that we have clarity on the issues that need prioritisation as well as implementation map and definite framework," he added.
The task force is charged with formulating recommendations under two primary areas: preventing violence, including gender-based violence, against medical professionals and ensuring safe working conditions, and preventing sexual violence against them.
The task force's agenda also involves ensuring compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013, mandating the formation of Internal Complaints Committees in all hospitals and nursing homes.
The 10-member NTF includes notable figures such as Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General (Medical Services), Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology and AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, Dr M Srinivas, AIIMS-Delhi Director and Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru who bring a wealth of experience from various sectors of healthcare.
The Union Health Ministry has already issued directives to the hospitals and medical colleges to ensure safety of the medical professionals. These include enhancing security in high-risk areas like emergency rooms and intensive care units, implementing baggage screening at hospital entrances, and improving infrastructure with separate resting and duty rooms for male and female staff.
“High-resolution CCTV cameras at strategic locations such as entrances and exits, corridors, dark spots, and sensitive areas should be installed while a control room should be set up for quick response at the time of an emergency.”
The ministry has also asked the institutions to suggest that an adequate number of secure duty rooms with basic amenities should be created for women health professionals. And, preferably more than one woman should be deployed for the night shifts. “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,” the letter says.
