The protests have renewed demands for a central law to protect healthcare workers from violence, a call that has intensified in the wake of the RG Kar incident
In response to nationwide protests by resident doctors, sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, the Union Health Ministry has approved a 25 per cent increase in security at all central government hospitals. This move aims to strengthen safety measures and ensure a more secure environment for healthcare workers across India.
As part of the new security strategy, the ministry has also authorized the deployment of marshals in hospitals on an as-needed basis. Each hospital will carry out its own security assessment to determine the specific needs for additional personnel. Officials emphasized that while these security upgrades are essential, the goal is not to turn hospitals into heavily guarded facilities. Maintaining a balance between accessibility and safety is crucial, as hospitals are public spaces.
The protests have renewed demands for a central law to protect healthcare workers from violence, a call that has intensified in the wake of the RG Kar incident. However, government sources pointed out that the Kolkata case does not fit the typical pattern of patient-doctor violence, which is usually the focus of such legislation. They noted that 26 states and Union territories, including West Bengal, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala, already have laws that make violence against healthcare personnel a cognizable and non-bailable offense.
Officials also indicated that enacting a central law in direct response to the RG Kar case might not significantly alter the existing legal framework, as the crime was not related to patient-doctor violence. The Health Ministry has engaged in discussions with various Resident Doctors’ Associations to convey this perspective, emphasizing that current state laws already provide substantial protection for healthcare workers.
To address broader concerns about hospital security and the working conditions of resident doctors, the ministry has announced the formation of a committee led by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This committee will review various aspects of hospital operations, including security protocols, duty rooms, working hours, and canteen services, with the aim of improving the overall working environment for healthcare professionals.
