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Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder: What SC-appointed task force is expected to do for doctors’ safety

The Supreme Court emphasised that the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act is implemented in all hospitals and nursing homes.

Sumit Jha

Published Aug 21, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2024 | 7:00 AM

Suspected sexual assault and brutal murder of Kolkata doctor

People protesting brutal murder of Kolkata doctor

Following the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 20 August established a National Task Force (NTF) to provide recommendations on the protocols to be followed across India to ensure the safety of doctors in medical colleges and hospitals.

The NTF has been tasked with formulating effective recommendations to address concerns related to the safety, working conditions, and well-being of medical professionals and other related issues.

The Supreme Court has directed the NTF to focus on two major aspects of safety: preventing violence, including gender-based violence, against medical professionals, and providing an enforceable national protocol to ensure dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents, senior residents, doctors, nurses, and all other medical professionals.

Related: Women in healthcare: The need for secure workspaces

Preventing violence

The Supreme Court has directed a comprehensive review of security issues within medical establishments, focusing on the triaging of departments and areas based on the degree of volatility and potential for violence. The Court emphasised the need for enhanced security in high-risk areas such as emergency rooms and intensive care units, which may require additional measures to prevent untoward incidents.

Key focus points:

  • Implementing baggage and personal screening systems at every hospital entrance to prevent weapons from being brought into the facility.
  • Preventing intoxicated individuals from entering the premises, unless they are patients.
  • Training hospital security personnel in crowd management and handling grieving individuals.

In terms of infrastructural development, the Supreme Court asked to look into:

  • Establishing separate resting and duty rooms for male doctors, female doctors, male nurses, female nurses, and a gender-neutral common area in each department. These rooms should be well-ventilated, provide sufficient bed space, and offer access to drinking water. Entry to these rooms should be restricted through security devices.
  • Adopting technological interventions such as biometric and facial recognition systems to control access to critical and sensitive areas.
  • Ensuring adequate lighting throughout the hospital and, if attached to a medical college, across the campus.
  • Installing CCTV cameras at all entrance and exit points, as well as in corridors leading to patient rooms.
  • Providing transportation for medical professionals between 10 pm and 6 am if their residences are located away from the hospital.

Also Read: Cerebral palsy: When cards play with life, Karnataka mother wishes for little son’s death

The Court also sought recommendations on:

  • Employing social workers trained in grief and crisis counseling at all medical establishments.
  • Conducting workshops for all hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and helpers, on handling grief and crises.
  • Constituting “Employee Safety Committees” composed of doctors, interns, residents, and nurses at every medical establishment to conduct quarterly audits on safety measures.
  • Including additional institutional safety requirements as criteria for accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for hospitals & healthcare providers.
  • Considering the establishment of police posts in medical facilities based on footfall, bed capacity, and available services.

Preventing sexual violence 

The Supreme Court emphasised that the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, applies to hospitals and nursing homes, including private healthcare providers. The top court also made it mandatory to implement a few things in all hospitals.

  • All hospitals and nursing homes must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as mandated by the Act.
  • Employers must fulfil their duties under Section 19 of the Act, which include organising sensitisation programs and ensuring a safe working environment.
  • Each medical institution must provide a 24/7 helpline number and emergency distress facilities for medical professionals.

People part of the task force

The task force includes nine external members, along with ex-officio members from the government. The external members are:

  • Surgeon Vice Admiral Dr Arti Sarin
  • Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of Hyderabad-based Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG)
  • Dr M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS Delhi
  • Dr Prathima Moorthy, Director, NIMHANS, Bangalore
  • Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri, Executive Director, AIIMS Jodhpur
  • Dr Saumitra Rawat, Chairperson, Ganga Ram Hospital
  • Prof Anita Saxena, Vice-Chancellor of Pandit BD Sharma University of Health Sciences
  • Dr Pallavi Saple, Dean, Grant Medical College
  • Dr Padma Srivastava, Chairperson of Neurology at Paras Health in Gurugram.

Also Read: More doctors, better doctor-patient ratio in South India

The ex-officio members of the National Task Force include:

  • The Cabinet Secretary
  • The Home Secretary
  • The Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • The Chairperson of the National Medical Commission
  • The President of the National Board of Examiners

The National Task Force has been directed by a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra to submit their interim report within three weeks and their final report within two months. The CJI has instructed the Task Force to make recommendations concerning the safety, working conditions, and well-being of medical professionals, as highlighted in the order.

“The NTF shall be at liberty to make recommendations on all aspects of the action-plan highlighted above and any other aspects which the members seek to cover. They are at liberty to make additional suggestions, where appropriate. The NTF shall also suggest appropriate timelines by which the recommendations could be implemented based on the existing facilities in hospitals. The NTF is requested to consult all stakeholders,” said the Supreme Court.

(Edited by Neena)

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