Union Health Ministry takes steps to increase security of health workers, doctors

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has allowed the deployment of Marshalls in Central Government hospitals for immediate security-related assistance and enhancement of security deployment by 25 per cent at all central government hospitals in India.

The steps have been taken by the Union Health Ministry officials amid protests by resident doctors for several days.

The Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra said, “There will be a 25% increase in security personnel in all Central Government Hospitals. Deployment of Marshalls in central government hospitals for immediate security-related assistance would also be approved based on individual demands from central govt hospitals.”

#WATCH | Chandigarh: On Kolkata’s RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh says, “A meeting of all the medical professional bodies was held…The main aim of the meeting was to call for justice and strict punishment should be given to those who are… pic.twitter.com/tQpi7bxZkl

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2024

The Ministry officials also said that the RG Kar incident was not a patient-doctor violence episode and crimes and rapes are already covered by the laws which already exist.

“26 states and UTs including West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Assam, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka have passed legislations to protect healthcare personnel and cognizance of nature of offences in all these states is cognizable and non-bailable.” further explained

“So the central law, that is based on the RG Kar case which was not a patient-doctor violence incident, will not make any huge difference,” an official source said.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Junior doctors hold a protest march from Calcutta National Medical College to Kolkata Police Headquarters, Lalbazar demanding justice into the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.

They are also protesting against the Police summons to two… pic.twitter.com/aCEOGjhbhk

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2024

Doctors all over the country are demanding an ordinance on the Central Protection Act and several rounds of meetings have been held so far with Union ministry officials.

“Under the chairmanship of DGHS, a committee will be formed to look into various aspects of security, facilities at hospitals for residents like duty room and working conditions,” said sources

Officials also urged doctors to call off their strike, “We have urged the doctors to call off their strike,” they said.