Beef up security for women staff, govt tells hospitals

New Delhi, August 20

Amid protests by doctors against the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, the Health Ministry has written to Central Government-run hospitals to ensure that women healthcare workers are escorted on the premises while on night duty and secured transport facilities are arranged for them for movement at night.

The hospitals have also been asked to coordinate with the police in case of any incident of violence. “Adequate number of well-secured duty rooms with basic amenities should be provided to women health professionals. At night, more than one woman should preferably by deployed. They should be escorted on the premises while on duty and proper arrangements for secured transport should be made for movement at night,” the letter states. Other instructions include lighting of dark spots on the hospital campus, particularly in duty areas of women health staff.