NMC speaks up after Kolkata incident, directs medical colleges to ensure safety of doctors

New Delhi: Amidst the widespread outrage within the medical fraternity in the country prompting doctors and medical students to strike in protest against the unfortunate event in Kolkata where an on-duty PG medico was reportedly brutally raped and murdered, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a statement and an advisory.

In its advisory issued under the authority of Dr B Srinivas, NMC Secretary, the apex medical commission noted that incidents of violence against doctors in medical colleges have been reported in the recent past. Hence, the NMC has directed medical colleges to ensure the safety of doctors by developing a policy towards a safe work environment on the campus for all staff members including doctors and medical students.

Incidents of violence against Doctors in Medical Colleges have been reported in the recent past. All Medical Colleges are requested to develop a policy for a safe work environment within the College and Hospital campus for all the staff members including Faculty, Medical Students and resident Doctors. The policy should ensure adequate safety measures at OPD, wards, casualty, hostels and other open areas on campus and in residential quarters. Corridors and campus be well-lit in the evening for staff to walk safely from one place to other and all sensitive areas be covered by CCTV for monitoring.

Further, the NMC has ordered the said policy to ensure the implementation of adequate safety measures including well-lit campus areas, CCTV monitoring, and posting of security personnel.

Adequate security measures including posting of adequate security staff (male and female) should be made available at the OPD, wards, casualty, labor rooms, hostels and residential quarters and other open areas in the Medical College and Hospital campus.

Moreover, strictly calling for a prompt investigation of cases of violence against doctors and medical students, the NMC mentioned that these cases should be immediately investigated by the institute management and an FIR should be lodged with the police.