Delhi Doctors demand implementation of Central Protection Act in the capital

New Delhi: Highlighting the security and safety issues faced by doctors at their workplace, doctors from different medical institutes across the National Capital have written to the Health Minister of Delhi.

Writing to the Delhi Health Minister, the Doctors have demanded enhanced security measures, improvements in the security infrastructures, and implementation of institutional SOPs for Harassment Cases.

Further raising their voice regarding the long-pending demand for the implementation of the Central Protection Act, the doctors stated in the letter, "We request you to take immediate action on these demands to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals at the workplace. We also request for your support for our unified cause of Central Act for protection of Healthcare Professionals at workplace so that a uniform law exists in whole country to help us serve this society in better way."

Apart from this, the doctors also urged the authorities to ensure strict implementation of the recent order issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), which directed the formation of committees at the Central Government Institutes under the chairmanship of the Medical Director and Head of Office as Member Secretary.

These demands from the doctors come at a time when the entire country is waiting for justice in the recent rape and murder of a Kolkata-based postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Consequently, the resident doctors across the country announced indefinite strike demanding safety at their workplace. They rejoined work only after the Supreme Court took cognisance of the issue and constituted a National Task Force to draft an Action plan to ensure safety of doctors and healthcare workers.

Referring to the incident and their strike, the letter signed by 29 doctors from Delhi-based medical institutes stated, "In light of the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, all Resident Doctors' Associations (RDAs) of Delhi started this ongoing fight for justice of victim and security of Healthcare Professionals at their workplace. After the hearing of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and developments in a positive direction, we suspended our strike with request to Govt. of NCT of Delhi to implement the advisories issued by MOHFW and Hon'ble Supreme Court in a fast-track manner to prevent such mishappening in future. For now we have decided to keep following the actions of the authorities regularly and accordingly we are deciding our further course of action."

To ensure safety and security of healthcare professionals working in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the doctors have demanded the following:

Enhanced Security Measures:

1. Strict Implementation of order no. F.PS/DGHS/MISC/2024/ 1056-1109 by DGHS , Govt. of NCT of Delhi which directs formation of committee under the chairmanship of the Medical Director and Head of Office as Member Secretary to be formed. The Committee must consist of the Senior Doctors (preferably HODs) of the Hospital and representative of the Residents Doctors and Nurses for preparation of the security plan of the Hospital.

2. Employment of adequate number of well-trained security guards for proper monitoring / patrolling/surveillance of the premises. The security of Hospital should be strengthened by including at least 30 -50 % ex-servicemen and trained guards while giving tender to security providing agencies. At present hospitals functioning under Govt. of NCT of Delhi are having absolute shortage of security personnel and there number need to be increased by at least 30-50 % immediately.

3. Proper Display of relevant penal provisions of the State legislation to prevent violence against health care workers in Hospital premises. Posters depicting legal liability and consequences of Assault and vandalism against medical professionals should be displayed at prominent places in hospital premises.

4. Sufficient number of High-resolution CCTV cameras to be installed at strategic locations including entrances, exits, corridors, dark spots and sensitive areas and Govt. of NCT of Delhi should facilitate it by providing sufficient funds to the hospitals.

5. Medical Directors / Medical Superintendents and Head of Office of the Hospitals must make Police Complaint under aegis of Section 6 of the Delhi Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions. (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008 within 6 Hours of receiving complaints from the Doctors. If any Medical Directors/ Medical Superintendents do not make Police Complaint within 6 Hours of receiving complaints from the doctors must provide justification for their inaction to the Director General Health Services, Government of NCT of Delhi.

6. Develop mechanisms to provide all staff with regular training sessions on recognizing and responding to violent incidents as mentioned in “Code Violet".

Security Infrastructure Improvements:

1. Secured and separate duty rooms with attached lavatories should be provided for male and female health professionals at workplace and Govt. of NCT of Delhi should facilitate it by providing sufficient funds to the hospitals.

2. A control room should be setup in the Institute for quick response to an emergent situation. The Control Room should be equipped with Public address systems to quickly disseminate information during emergencies.

Institutional SOP for Harassment Cases:

1. Development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address all forms of harassment (physical, mental, verbal, or sexual).Establishment of a special cell for handling complaints, with provisions for anonymity and resolution within 7 days.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Director General of Health Services, GNCTD had asked the heads of medical institutes to set up a Committee to formulate a security plan including "Code Violet" to promptly take action against threat or act of violence within a healthcare facility.

DGHS, GNCTD issued the following advisory to all the Medical Directors/Medical Superintendents: