Mohali DC-headed board to ensure security of medics

Two days after two thieves pushed away a doctor at the Dhakoli community health centre, who was in the family way, while trying to flee with injections, a seven-member District Health Board has been formed to safeguard the interests of healthcare professionals and paramedic staff during duty hours.

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While the Deputy Commissioner is its chairperson, the SSP, Civil Surgeon, Principal/Medical Superintendent, nursing sister as representative of paramedic staff, district president of IMA and the district attorney are the other members of the board, which will hold a meeting every month.

It has been decided that a single pass would be issued to the attendants in the in-patient department (IPD) at health facilities with heavy footfall. Only one person would be allowed to enter the IPD area.

A security audit has been ordered at the District Hospital, sub-division hospital, community health centres and primary health centres that work as 24x7 health facility. The safety audit will be carried out by the Hospital Security and Violence Prevention Committee, headed by a senior medical officer, being formed at the local level. Sub-Divisional Magistrates have been asked to visit all these health facilities personally to complete the security audit by the next 10 days.

Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said, “Provision for the safe movement of doctors/nurses within the hospital during night duties would be made besides routine patrolling in all hospitals during night time. In case of emergency, healthcare staff should contact or dial ‘112’ helpline. Photo ID cards are to be issued to all staff members of the hospitals to rule out the movement of any suspicious persons.”

SSP Deepak Pareek said, “Besides day patrolling, special night patrolling would be done at 10 spots. I urge all SMOs to keep monitoring the functioning of CCTVs once in a while daily.”

Dhakoli centre staff seek security

The Dhakoli health centre staff have requested the district administration to deploy adequate security guards inside the premises and a PCR vehicle outside. “It is mostly female staff only on duty at night. Drunken men in big groups come here and misbehave with the staff,” an employee said. A class IV employee is there to handle odd works and such situations, they added.