Central Hospitals in India Boost Security with Entry Monitoring, Night Escorts for Women Doctors

The Union health ministry has mandated new security measures for all central government hospitals. These include strict monitoring of entry and exit points and providing escorts for female health professionals at night. This decision follows nationwide protests by resident doctors demanding a special central law to prevent violence against healthcare workers after a trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at a state-run hospital in Kolkata.

Enhanced Security Measures

The ministry's communication to hospital heads emphasised the need for adequate, secure duty rooms with basic amenities for female health professionals. It also recommended that women health professionals working at night should be deployed in pairs or groups. They should be escorted within the premises during their shifts, and secure transport arrangements should be made for their night-time movements.

Hospitals have been advised to install high-resolution CCTV cameras at strategic locations such as entrances, exits, corridors, dark spots, and sensitive areas. A control room should be established within the hospital for quick response to emergencies, staffed by administrative personnel and security staff.

Monitoring and Identification

The ministry stressed the importance of strictly monitoring entry and exit points to ensure only authorised personnel are allowed access. Identification badges should be issued to staff, patients, and visitors for easy identification. All hospital staff must display their ID cards while on duty, and appropriate arrangements should be made to monitor all visitors.

To prevent violence against healthcare workers, hospitals are advised to prominently display relevant penal provisions of state legislation within the premises. Additionally, employing an adequate number of well-trained security guards is essential for proper monitoring, patrolling, and surveillance of the hospital grounds.

Emergency Preparedness

The ministry recommended that hospitals develop comprehensive plans for handling various types of emergencies. These plans should be regularly updated and rehearsed through periodic mock drills to train staff and security personnel in effective emergency responses. All hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and administrative personnel, should be trained to recognise and respond to security threats effectively.

Public address systems should be installed to quickly disseminate information during emergencies. The ministry also called for mapping dark spots on the campus and ensuring adequate lighting in areas such as duty zones for female healthcare staff, parking lots, and entryways.

Coordination with Local Authorities

Hospital authorities must ensure a coordinated response to incidents by working closely with local police and emergency services. Security policies should be updated based on feedback and incident analysis to improve safety measures continually.

The ministry highlighted that government hospitals are more accessible to the public than private facilities, making them more vulnerable to unauthorised entry. While accessibility is crucial for providing care, it can pose security risks. Hospitals can become targets of violence due to disputes or dissatisfaction with medical care.

Ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals is vital as violence or harassment against staff can disrupt operations and affect patient care quality. The ministry noted that patient rush increases the potential for conflicts and security breaches.

Adequate numbers of patient facilitators and coordinators should be engaged to assist patients by providing information and guidance within hospitals. This measure aims to improve patient experience while maintaining order within the facility.

The ministry's directive underscores the need for a balanced approach to security that maintains accessibility while protecting patients, staff, and the facility's integrity. By implementing these measures, hospitals can create a safer environment for both healthcare professionals and patients.