Tamil Nadu plans slew of measures to ensure safety of hospital staff

Metal dictators, police booths, colour-coded wristbands for visitors, security committees for PHCs are among the planned initiatives.

Published Nov 14, 2024 | 8:46 PMUpdated Nov 14, 2024 | 8:46 PM

Health Minister Ma Subramanian visiting Dr J Balaji at the hospital.

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to launch a slew of measures to ensure the safety of medical professionals and patients in state-run hospitals.

The decision was made on Thursday, 14 November, a day after two on-duty doctors were attacked in separate incidents.

Chief Minister MK Stalin held a review meeting, after which the government decided to go for security reforms in the health sector.

The measures to be initiated included joint inspections by the police and health departments, ensuring the operational status of CCTV cameras, and biometric attendance for contract staff.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian said metal detectors would be installed in government hospitals. Feasibility studies to determine their locations were underway, he said in a statement.

It was also decided to provide colour-coded wristbands to control visitors. Such a mechanism was introduced at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital on 8 October.

Over 7,000 wristbands have already been issued, and the system will soon be implemented in other hospitals.

Related: Chennai oncologist attacked by patient’s kin

Police booths in Chennai hospitals

Meanwhile, the Greater Chennai police said security booths will be set up at all government hospitals in Chennai to ensure the safety of medical professionals and patients.

Each police booth will have 10 constables, creating a dedicated law enforcement presence to deter violence against doctors, nurses, and hospital staff.

The initiative is expected to cover all the 19 government hospitals in Chennai, nine of which already have police stations or booths. The remaining 10 hospitals will soon see similar arrangements to address rising concerns about safety.

Security for PHCs

Minister Subramanian said district-level deputy directors of health services will be consulted to bolster the security in all government hospitals.

Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine TS Selvavinayagam emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security measures for doctors and healthcare workers across Tamil Nadu, following multiple incidents of violence.

In a statement on Thursday, he underscored the government’s commitment to implementing stricter safety protocols in medical institutions.

Selvavinayagam also revealed that a Hospital Security Committee and a Violence Prevention Committee will be established at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to monitor and enforce security protocols.

Furthermore, to ensure better safety, the department has introduced the use of the Kaaval Uthavi app, which allows healthcare workers to send emergency alerts to the police control room.

The move follows a string of violent incidents against medical staff.

Also Read: CPI(M) protests over infant’s death in Tamil Nadu, doctor suspended

Dr Balaji stable

Minister Subramanian visited Dr J Balaji at Kalaignar Centennial Super Specialty Hospital on Thursday. The injured doctor is now stable and recovering in the intensive care unit. He is expected to be shifted to a room once his pacemaker is reviewed again.

His daughter, also a doctor, has been monitoring his condition.

Chief Minister Stalin also enquired about his health. He reiterated the importance of continuity in medical services and promised strict action against the offender.

The health minister held with 11 medical associations representing doctors and nurses. The associations expressed satisfaction with the government’s measures and pledged cooperation to ensure uninterrupted medical services across Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the offender, Vignesh, has been charged with attempted murder, trespassing, and injuring a public servant on duty, as well as under the Tamil Nadu Government Act 48/2008, which protects medical staff from violence. He has been remanded for 15 days.

Doctors under threat

Oncologist Dr Balaji of Kalaignar Centenary Super-Specialty Hospital in Guindy was knifed repeatedly following a spat over “poor treatment” provided to Vignesh’s mother.

Hours later, Dr P Hariharan, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Government Stanley Hospital was assaulted by a patient. Police said Dr Hariharan’s attacker, S Bharath, fled the scene after the incident. A search has been launched to find him.

On 14 August, a man from Madhya Pradesh attempted to sexually assault a female doctor in the parking lot of a Coimbatore hospital. The attempt came amid nationwide protests against the rape and murder of a junior doctor in a Kolkata hospital.

The Coimbatore incident sparked further outrage and renewed calls for better security for healthcare professionals in Tamil Nadu’s medical institutions.

In March this year, a second-year post-graduate student was assaulted by a 36-year-old woman and her male companion at the Government Medical College in Vellore. The woman and her companion were infuriated over the junior doctor questioning the man’s presence in the women’s ward.

Edited by Majnu Babu).

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