GMC resident docs write to minister, seek security audit
Manmeet Singh Gill
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 19
In the wake of the recent rape-murder case in a Kolkata, hospital, the resident doctors at Government Medical College here have demanded security audit on campus, installation of CCTVs and alarms, formation of grievance cell, security monitoring committees with participation of stakeholders and registration of FIRs within six hours.
In a letter written to the Medical Education and Research Minister, Punjab, the Union of Resident Doctors of Punjab (URDP) has demanded that a detailed security audit be conducted at all campuses and increase the number of adequately trained security personnel, particularly in wards and emergency areas.
Dr Prabhsimran Singh Boparai, general secretary, URDP, said, “We have requested that efforts should be made to raise a dedicated security force (hospital security force) on the lines of Sadak Suraksha Force (SSF) as handling of sensitive situations require trained manpower.”
The resident doctors have also demanded extensive and thorough CCTV surveillance linked with a central control room in the campuses and fixing of responsibility in case of any security lapse. It has further advocated need for installation of an Alarm system in emergency areas as well as wards to enable instant raising of alarm in any threatening situation.
Dr Shivanshee, a resident doctor at GMC, said, “We demand that orders be issued regarding filing of institutional FIRs in any case of violence against healthcare professional within a span of six hours.” She said at present, FIRs are registered after much delay and even complaints have to be filed by medical professionals. She said institutes should file complaints on behalf of their employees.
The URDP has also demanded fully functional doctor duty rooms with bathroom stating that these are a prerequisite to ensure the safety of resident doctors, particularly those on night duties. The union has pointed out the presence of multiple unregulated entry and exit points stating that these allow miscreants to sneak in and out without being detected.
Dr Boparai said the establishment of a grievance portal at the level of Secretary or Director Research and Medical Education is required as complaints submitted at the college level are hushed up by college authorities one way or another.
