Health Dept suggests measures to prevent violence against doctors

The Director of Punjab Health Services has written to all the Civil Surgeons of the state regarding the prevention of violence against healthcare professionals. The Director of Health, Dr Hitinder Kaur, suggested measures to adopt in this regard. She asked the Civil Surgeons to constitute a district health board under the chairpersonship of Deputy Commissioners comprising SSPs, Civil Surgeons, Medical Superintendents, representatives of paramedical staff, district IMA president/PCMS Associations/Member, representatives of NGO and legal experts.

Urgent need for security arrangements

Appropriate security arrangements should be provided by the nearest police station as and when required by the head of the institution. CCTV cameras and proper lighting should be installed and emergency arrangements should be made at all health institutions. Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director of Punjab Health Services

“The district health board meeting should be held once a month. It should be assured that a health institution with heavy footfall is attached to the nearest police station. Appropriate security arrangements should be provided by the police station concerned as and when required by the head of the institution. CCTV cameras and proper lighting should be installed and emergency arrangements should be made at all health institutions,” said Dr Hitinder.

She said the institute head would register the institutional FIR in case of any violence against any health worker. A single pass should be issued to the attendant of the In-Patient Department (IPD) patients at health facilities with heavy footfall so that only one person would be allowed to enter the IPD.

She said all health facilities need to constitute a ‘hospital security committee’ and ‘violence prevention committee’ to strategise and implement appropriate security measures. The committee should also include members from paramedical staff. She said the committee would conduct the security audit of the facility. She said the gaps that they identify during audits should be addressed within a week. She added that the committee must conduct the security audits on a quarterly basis.

Dr Hitinder Kaur said, “It is advised to constitute a five-member internal committee on sexual harassment in the hospital. The committee will function under the chairmanship of the facility-in-charge with at least three female members.”