Odisha Govt Announces Enhanced Security Measures for Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: To enhance the safety and security of healthcare professionals, the Odisha government has announced a comprehensive plan to strengthen security arrangements across medical institutions in the state.

According to the news reports, under the new initiative, all 14 government medical colleges will have dedicated security officers of senior rank, such as Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), or Deputy Commandant, tasked with overseeing campus security and maintaining order.

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The government has also extended the security upgrade to district headquarters hospitals, where officers of Inspector rank will be appointed to maintain law and order and ensure swift response to any untoward incidents.

In a further step, dedicated police outposts will be established in all medical colleges. These outposts are expected to significantly improve response times during emergencies and act as a deterrent against any form of violence or disruption targeting doctors, staff, or patients.

The decision follows growing concerns over the safety of medical professionals amid rising incidents of violence in healthcare settings across the country.

Speaking to Odisha TV, Officials stated that these measures will not only boost the confidence of doctors but also improve overall hospital security management. Further details regarding implementation and deployment are expected to be announced soon.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a recent incident of violence against medical professionals, an on-duty doctor at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Singhpur was allegedly abused and physically assaulted by a patient’s attendant over a delay in treatment. The Medical Officer in Charge, who later lodged an FIR against the accused, also faced harassment and has now been booked in a murder case. According to a doctor who shared the details on the social media platform 'X', around 12 days after the altercation, the attendant was found dead under suspicious circumstances on a railway track. Following this, his wife accused the medical officer of murder and lodged an FIR under BNS sections 108, 115(2), 126(2), 296, 3(5), and 351(2).

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