NEW DELHI: The National Task Force (NTF), set up in accordance with directions of the Supreme Court to provide inputs on the security and safety of medical institutions and doctors in the aftermath of the Kolkata rape and murder incident, held its first meeting under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary.
According to officials, the members have received 400 suggestions from stakeholders. A national portal has been created by the Health Ministry to seek suggestions from individuals and stakeholders across the country. The suggestions will be collated by the Health Ministry for further consideration by NTF members.
While an elaborate and detailed discussion on various issues took place in the meeting, another meeting will be held on Wednesday to discuss short-term measures regarding the security of medical professionals with state chief secretaries and Director General of Police (DGPs) of all states. The meeting will be co-chaired by the Union Home Secretary and Union Health Secretary.
“It was already decided that suggestions from medical associations will be taken. The Health Secretary, along with NTF members, will have wider consultations with major stakeholders. States have also been requested to provide information on the security measures available in medical institutions. A Google Sheet has been shared with the states for this purpose,” an official said.
He said suggestions regarding illuminating dark places in hospitals, enhanced security measures such as installation of CCTVs at sensitive areas and transportation of female doctors during night duty hours were received by the members.
The Supreme Court had asked the NTF to formulate an action plan under two sub-heads – ‘Preventing violence, including gender-based violence, against medical professionals and providing safe working conditions’, and ‘prevention of sexual violence against medical professionals’.
As far as infrastructural development is concerned, there should be a provision for separate restrooms and duty rooms in each department for male and female doctors and male and female nurses and a gender-neutral common resting space.
The 10 members of the task force include Vice-Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General (Medical Services) Indian Navy, Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, AIIMS-Delhi Director and Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru and others.