Hospitals need to register Institutional FIR on violence against Healthcare workers within 6 hours of incident: DGHS

New Delhi: Amid the massive outrage and nationwide protests over the brutal rape and murder of a Postgraduate doctor in Kolkata R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Union Health Ministry has now issued strict directions to the medical institutes and hospitals across the country to file an institutional FIR within six hours of an incident of violence against any healthcare worker on duty.

The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Atul Goel shared this Office Memorandum with the directors and medical superintendents of central government hospitals, including AIIMS, and the directors/principals of all medical colleges across the country.

Referring to the increasing number of instances of violence against doctors and healthcare workers, the OM said, "Recently it has been observed that violence has become common against Doctors and other healthcare staff in Government Hospitals. A number of Health workers suffer physical violence during the course of their duty. Many are threatened or exposed to verbal aggression. Most of this violence is done by either patient or patient's attendants." 

The Health Ministry has issued directions to the Head of the Institutes to file an institutional FIR for such instances of violence within 6 hours. In this regard, the OM stated, "In view of above, It is stated that in the event of any violence against any health care worker while on duty, the Head of Institution shall be responsible for filing an Institutional FIR within a maximum of 6 hours of the incident."

This comes after the recent incident of rape and murder of a PG medico at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the half-naked body of the deceased RG Kar PG Respiratory Medicine medico was recovered from the seminar hall of the hospital on Friday morning. A preliminary autopsy report has indicated sexual abuse before she was killed. As per the inquest report, there was bleeding from the doctor's eyes and mouth, injury on the face and nails, bleeding from her genitals, and several other injury marks on different parts of her body.

Soon after the news of this horrific incident came to light, doctors in Bengal and across the country started a massive protest demanding justice. Lakhs of doctors across the country initiated a strike, causing major disruptions to medical services nationwide. The doctors are demanding not only justice but also for the authorities to address safety concerns at the workplace.

Recently, the National Medical Commission (NMC) also issued a statement and advisory on the issue. "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," it said.

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