Doctor rape case: Separate rest room for women, frisking unit and biometric system… NTF has received these recommendations so far.

National Task Force: The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force in the RG Gar Medical College rape and murder case in Kolkata. The NTF has started receiving several recommendations for the protection of doctors in hospitals across the country. To this end, several sub-committees of the NTF are preparing useful recommendations to address issues of concern related to the safety, working conditions and welfare of doctors. Hospital conditions and locations are assessed, with departments and locations isolated based on instability and potential for violence. Special attention is given to areas like Emergency Department, ICU etc. These areas are more vulnerable to violence and require additional security to deal with any untoward incident. The NTF is considering several measures to ensure proper security in medical institutions and recommend setting up a frisking unit. Baggage and person checking system will be established at each entrance of the hospital. So it can be ensured that weapons cannot be carried inside the medical institution. For this, it is recommended to establish a search unit. It is also recommended to take measures to prevent intoxicated persons from entering the hospital premises under any circumstances. An exception is made to allow an intoxicated person to enter the hospital if he is a patient. At the same time, special training should be given to security officers in hospital crowd management. Separate rest rooms for women: Separate rest rooms and working rooms for (a) male doctor, (b) female doctor, (c) male nurse, (d) female nurse and (c) general rest rooms in each department. to be done. For this, the room should have ventilation, adequate bed space and drinking water facility. Access to these rooms should be controlled by installing security devices. Biometric system installed in the hospital A proper biometric system should be installed to ensure access to every place in the hospital. Appropriate technological interventions are needed to regulate access to critical and sensitive areas in the hospital, including the use of facial recognition. Adequate lighting should be ensured in all premises of the hospital and if the hospital is affiliated to a medical college. CCTV cameras should be installed at all entrances and exits of hospitals and corridors leading to all patient rooms. Provision of transport from hostel to hospital One of the recommendations of NTF is that if the hostel or rooms of the medical professionals are away from the hospital, those who want to go to the hospital from their place of stay between 10 pm and 6 am. Transport should be provided to the people. Also included in the recommendations are the organization of grief and bereavement workshops for all employees of medical institutions, including doctors, nurses and assistants. Staff Safety Committees are established in each medical institution to conduct quarterly audits of the organizational safety practices of physicians, trainees, residents and nurses. It has also been advised to set up employee safety committees for this purpose. Also, it has been suggested to set up police stations based on the number of patients coming to the medical facility, beds and facilities. Prevention of Sexual Violence against Medical Professionals The Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 applies to hospitals and nursing homes. As per the provisions of the Act, all hospitals and nursing homes have to set up an internal grievance committee. Obligations listed under Section 19 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 must be fulfilled. Also, ensure that every institution has a helpline number for medical professionals, which is open 24 x 7. Also Read- Another Doctor Suspended in Kolkata Rape Case, Now Hearing in Supreme Court Today