Delhi's LHMC withdraws services of private security from hospital campus

New Delhi: Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated SSK & KSC Hospitals have issued an order temporarily withdrawing the services of marshals and bouncers hired for security purposes in the hospital, days after the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the hospital.  

The order issued by deputy director Dr V K Sharma on October 31 observed that the services of the marshals and bouncers would be terminated with immediate effect.

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He stated, "I am directed to refer to the subject cited above and to inform that the services of marshals/bouncers are temporarily suspended in Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospital, therefore, the services of marshals may be withdrawn with immediate effect till further order." 

The bouncers and marshals were reportedly hired for the safety and security of the doctors and the hospital. However, based on the directions of the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya who had gone to the hospital to review its functioning, the hospital issued the order. 

Centre-run hospital's deputy director V K Sharma also wrote a letter to the private agency who was hired for security arrangements, reports the Indian Express.

As per union health ministry sources, other centre-run hospitals would be implementing a similar rule, reports the New Indian Express. The minister reportedly stated his displeasure after visiting the hospital, and observed in his speech that the presence of heavy security arrangements would be a source of intimidation to the patients. 

While speaking at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) earlier this year, the minister had observed, "They don't come to fight. They (patients) come for the treatment and doctors should show empathy towards them." 

However, the action has invited criticism from various doctors who are concerned about their security since there are growing cases of assault against doctors by patients' kin. Dr Sarda, general secretary, of the Resident Doctors Association, LHMC said that the doctors were not consulted before the decision was taken and Dr. Sarda stated that a team of doctors would be visiting the hospital administration to get to the reason behind the move. He said, "We are understaffed and the additional security gives us the confidence to work in a conducive environment. We were not consulted. However, we will try to get the reason behind the move first as the removal of security will concern us all for our security,

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