The Health Ministry will establish a committee led by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
Amid recent unfortunate events and growing concerns over the safety of healthcare workers, the Health Ministry has taken significant steps to enhance security across Union government hospitals. The move comes as resident doctors nationwide protest for stronger protections, following a tragic incident in Kolkata. As calls for a central law intensify, the Ministry is balancing the need for robust security with the challenges of maintaining public access to hospital facilities.
This decision comes on the heels of nationwide protests by resident doctors, who are demanding the implementation of a central law to protect healthcare workers after a trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata.
Officials have clarified that while the usual security measures will be strengthened, hospitals are also encouraged to request additional marshals if deemed necessary following their internal security reviews.
Col (Dr) Rajendra P Vennam, CEO and CTO, Drucare Pvt. Ltd. said ”The recent security breach at a Kolkata hospital has highlighted the urgent need to address vulnerabilities within India’s healthcare security systems. As hospitals continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors has become increasingly critical. This incident underscores the necessity for prompt and comprehensive security measures in healthcare facilities to ensure that patients can receive care and exit safely without undue delay”.
He adds “Physical measures must be combined with other technical solutions using an approach which is integrated. This approach should include comprehensive surveillance measures consisting of CCTVs, biometric access and control, and real-time surveillance. Hence, compromises in healthcare systems related to patients’ and healthcare professionals’ movements can be limited through the application of these technologies that constrain access into emergency rooms, OT, and pharmacy areas. Also, by providing employees with panic buttons and alarm systems, hospitals can ensure a rapid response to security incidents or emergencies, thereby protecting both patients and staff from potential danger”.
The human element of security in healthcare must be addressed through regular training programs for both clinical and non-clinical staff, aimed at enhancing awareness and preparedness to effectively manage security threats. This includes the rudimentary education of recognizing abnormal behaviours, the management of people in an area and emergency procedures like evacuation plans. Additionally, Staff security is important and is enhanced by having a dedicated team who are experts in conflict management, violence de-escalation and emergency response.
Despite the rising calls for a central law, officials have pointed out that the tragic incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was not related to patient-doctor violence. “Creating a central law based on this case won’t make a significant difference,” an official said. The officials emphasized that existing laws already address such crimes, including rape and murder, and noted that 26 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Delhi, and Maharashtra, have enacted specific legislation to protect healthcare personnel. In these regions, offenses against healthcare workers are treated as cognizable and non-bailable.
Manish Tewari, Co-Founder, Spydra Technologies highlighted “Strengthening security health infrastructure in India is crucial for safeguarding the nation’s healthcare system against a wide array of threats, including cyberattacks, physical violence, biological emergencies, and supply chain disruptions. As India’s healthcare sector increasingly adopts digital technologies, cybersecurity has become a significant concern. Protecting sensitive patient data and ensuring the security of health IT systems is essential. This can be achieved by implementing strong cybersecurity protocols, conducting regular security audits, and training healthcare professionals in basic cybersecurity practices.
Physical security at healthcare facilities also requires enhancement. This involves installing advanced security systems, protecting healthcare workers through legal measures, and fostering community engagement to reduce violence and vandalism. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for better preparedness against biological threats. India must invest in advanced surveillance systems, expand laboratory capacity, and develop a national public health emergency strategy to improve its response to future pandemics”.
The Health Ministry will establish a committee led by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This committee will assess hospital security and review the facilities available to resident doctors, including duty rooms, working hours, and canteen services.
The ongoing strike in the national capital over the Kolkata incident has now entered its second week, causing significant disruption to patient care. Resident doctors across the country are pushing for the swift enactment of a special law to address violence against healthcare personnel and the implementation of improved safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment.
Dr Shweta Gupta, Senior Gynaecologist at Bloom Clinic expressed
“The current health crisis that occurred in Kolkata has highlighted the need for enhancement of the health security infrastructure at all levels in India. The nation’s healthcare system has witnessed various favorable trends in the past few years but challenges still persist particularly in response to crisis situations. Subsequent to the catastrophe, we ought to work towards such a direction by looking at not one rather all arms of emergency management like improving in detection measures, handling emergencies, and reinforcement of health care institution with machines and well-trained personnel.
Health security involves heaps of more elements. In the reintegration of health systems one needs to utilise Electronic health records for efficient coordination and management as well as usage of modern bio-containment facilities and training of health workers in the management of emergencies. A public education initiative should equally be increased so that populations are not caught off guard in the event of any health crisis.
It will require a coordinated approach among government, businesses, and civil society to make strong healthcare infrastructure that will be responsive to any threats. There is every reason to believe that there is adequate financing, there is a clear framework and policies with rules to be followed to implement the policies and strategies to create a sounder and healthier status of health in the country which will ideally prevent the incidence of health imperfections among the people in the same manner as India”.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support their demands, which include a central law for the protection of healthcare workers and making hospitals as secure as airports with mandatory security measures.
Despite these discussions, resident doctors have decided to continue their strike. They plan to offer elective outpatient services in approximately 36 specialties, such as medicine, surgery, and pediatrics, outside Nirman Bhawan. However, they have assured that emergency services at hospitals will remain operational.
