RIMS junior doctors seek major security overhaul after repeated assaults

Ranchi: To ensure the safety of medical staff following a series of alleged attacks and security incidents, junior doctors at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, have called for a major overhaul of security arrangements on and around the hospital campus. 

The demand follows the alleged assault of on-duty doctors in the surgery ward on Sunday by relatives of a patient who died during treatment. According to the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), the doctors were allegedly attacked with iron rods used for hanging IV fluid bottles despite their efforts to save the patient.

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Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a disturbing incident, on-duty doctors at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) were allegedly assaulted by relatives of a patient who died during treatment, prompting resident doctors to suspend work for around two hours on Sunday.

According to news reports, around 1,300 junior doctors work at the state’s largest government hospital. Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) said at least two two-wheelers have been stolen and several phones snatched by bike-borne miscreants on the campus in the past four months. Doctors have also raised concerns over repeated incidents of patients’ attendants allegedly abusing or manhandling medical staff.

JDA secretary Dr Shubham B Joshi said several similar incidents had taken place in recent times, putting doctors’ safety at risk.

Speaking to TOI, JDA president Dr Jitendra Kumar said that despite a sizeable number of security personnel at the hospital, doctors remained apprehensive about their effectiveness. “During Sunday’s incident, only one woman constable was present, and she was not in a position to protect the doctors. We have demanded a dedicated quick action force comprising at least 15 trained guards to respond to violence, threats, crowding and other emergencies anywhere on the hospital premises,” Kumar said.

The JDA submitted a six-point memorandum to the RIMS authorities on Tuesday, seeking tighter security across the hospital, hostels and other key locations.

Among its key demands, the association has sought that hostels and academic buildings be declared restricted zones, with entry limited to RIMS staff carrying valid identity cards and essential service providers with prior permission. The move is aimed at preventing unauthorised persons from entering areas primarily used by doctors and students, reports Daily.

Following the assault, RIMS director Dr D K Sinha convened a security review meeting on Monday and directed officials to strengthen deployment at critical locations.

Security personnel will be deployed in three shifts at sensitive areas, including the trauma centre, surgery ward, ICU and super-speciality blocks.

“A quick response team will be formed to deal with untoward incidents. A wireless communication system will also be introduced to improve coordination among security personnel,” Sinha said, reports TOI.

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