supreme-court-forms-task-force-for-doctors-safety-protocols

Supreme Court of India has directed the constitution of a 10-member NTF - National Task Force which will formulate protocols ensuring the safety of the nation's doctors. The step has been taken considering the recent case reported in Kolkata, where a doctor was brutally raped and murdered which later sparked nationwide protests, raising questions on the safety of doctors, especially female staff.

 

The task force, led by Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, has been instructed to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.

 

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said a lack of institutional safety norms at medical establishments against both violence and sexual violence against medical professionals is a matter of serious concern.

 

Bench's statement:

 

"The NTF shall be at liberty to make recommendations on all aspects of the action plan highlighted above and any other aspects which the members seek to cover. They are at liberty to make additional suggestions, where appropriate. The NTF shall also suggest appropriate timelines by which the recommendations could be implemented based on the existing facilities in Hospitals. The NTF is requested to consult all stakeholders," the bench said.

 

"All State Governments and UT Governments, through their Secretaries, in the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare and the Central Government, through the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare must collate information from all hospitals run by the State and the Central Government, respectively on how many security personnel are employed at each Hospital and each department".

 

"Whether there is a baggage and person screening mechanism in place at the entrance of the medical establishment. The total number of resting/duty rooms in the Hospital and specific details of the number in each Department. The facilities provided in the resting/duty rooms," the bench further added.

 

Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case concerning the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, in the context of widespread nationwide protests.