Centre Issues Order To Protect Healthcare Workers: 'File Complaint Within Six Hours'

The Union Health Ministry has mandated that all government hospitals, whether under central or state jurisdiction, must file police complaints within six hours of any incident of violence on campus or against healthcare staff.

This directive, issued Friday morning, specifies that the head of the concerned institution will be held accountable if such a complaint is not made within the given time frame.

The notice highlights the increasing trend of violence against doctors and healthcare workers in government hospitals, noting, "Recently it has been observed that violence has become common against doctors and other healthcare staff at government hospitals. A number of healthcare workers suffered physical violence during the course of their duty. Many were threatened or exposed to verbal aggression."

Most of this violence, the notice states, is perpetrated by patients or their attendants.

In response, it declares, "In the event of any violence against any healthcare worker while on duty, the Head of the institution shall be responsible for filing an institutional FIR within a maximum of six hours."

This directive comes in the wake of nationwide protests following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The incident, which occurred on August 9, has led to a massive outcry from medical professionals across the country, who are demanding better protection and safer working conditions.

The Calcutta High Court has also been actively involved, recently criticizing the Bengal government while hearing related petitions, including one from the doctor's parents who alleged administrative lapses at the hospital. The court noted the shocking nature of the crime, with the autopsy confirming multiple grievous injuries to the victim's body.

The doctor's murder has led to widespread protests, which escalated into vandalism at the RG Kar Hospital. During a hearing this morning, the High Court questioned the police's handling of the situation, particularly how a mob of 7,000 people was allowed to gather and cause destruction. The court has directed the CBI to submit an interim report on the vandalism.

Earlier, the High Court handed the murder case to the CBI, citing the need for swift action amidst allegations of administrative and police failures.

The police, however, have denied any wrongdoing, including claims by the victim's parents that they initially treated the death as a suicide and later restricted the family from viewing the body.

They have also rejected accusations of failing to secure the crime scene, with the court demanding photographic evidence to support their assertions.