Centre’s Directive To Protect Healthcare Workers: ‘FIR Within 6 Hours Of Violence On Campus’

New Delhi:  The Union Health Ministry has ordered all government hospitals (centre and state) to file police complaints within six hours of violence on campus or against staff and health workers. A brief notice issued Friday morning said the head of the institute concerned would be held responsible if no such complaint is made within the stipulated time.

“Recently it has been observed that violence has become common against doctors and other healthcare staff at government hospitals. A number of healthcare workers suffered physical violence during the course of their duty. Many were threatened or exposed to verbal aggression.”

“Most of this violence is done either by patients or patients’ attenders. In view of this it is stated that in the event of any violence against any healthcare worker while on duty, the Head of the institution shall be responsible for filing an institutional FIR within a maximum of six hours.”

The notice comes amid furious protests nationwide over the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, following which medical professionals across the country have gone on strike demanding better protection and safer work environments.

Earlier, the Calcutta High Court came down strongly on the Bengal government while hearing petitions on this issue, including the doctors’ parents alleging lapses by the hospital administration.

The doctor’s body was found in a seminar room on the RG Kar Hospital campus on August 9. The grisly killing sparked a massive agitation by doctors in that hospital, from across Kolkata and Bengal, and across India. The protests were followed by vandalism at the RG Kar Hospital.