Nationwide Strike by Resident Doctors for Enhanced Safety Laws

Context:

Resident doctors across India have initiated a strike to demand robust legislation ensuring their safety while on duty. This action follows the tragic incident on August 9, where a young doctor was raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The uproar began after her body was found in the seminar room of the emergency building where she worked. The medical community has expressed frustration over the hospital administration and state government’s alleged attempts to downplay the incident. A significant point of contention is the absence of a central law that explicitly protects healthcare workers, prompting this widespread protest for better security measures and legal protections.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Ground Reality
2. Immediate Needs for a Safe Work Environment
3. Global Measures to Protect Healthcare Workers
4. Need for Action in India
5. Government Initiatives

Ground Reality

Legal and Administrative Framework

• Decentralized Responsibility: Health and law and order are primarily the responsibility of State governments or Union Territory administrations. This decentralization means that responses and regulations can vary significantly from one region to another.
• Lack of Centralized Data: There is no central record of the number of fatalities among medical professionals due to violence, which complicates efforts to address the issue systematically and measure the effectiveness of interventions.

Historical Context and Ongoing Issues

• The case of Aruna Shanbaug underscores the longstanding nature of violence against healthcare workers in India, highlighting not just extreme cases of assault but also the daily risks faced by medical staff.

Immediate Needs for a Safe Work Environment

• Infrastructure Improvements: Many medical facilities in India suffer from infrastructural deficiencies such as poor lighting and inadequate security measures, which can increase the vulnerability of healthcare workers.
• Security Enhancements: There is a crucial need for the implementation of robust security measures including:
  • Improved Lighting: Ensuring that all areas within medical facilities are well-lit to prevent dark spots where assaults can occur.
  • Security Personnel: Deploying trained security guards to monitor sensitive areas within hospitals and respond quickly to incidents.
  • Surveillance Systems: Installing cameras and conducting regular monitoring can help deter potential assailants and document incidents should they occur.
  • Controlled Access: Managing access to various parts of hospitals through manned checkpoints can prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of violence.

Broader Implications

• Cultural and Educational Campaigns: Beyond physical and legal measures, there is a need for cultural change regarding how healthcare workers are viewed and treated. Education campaigns that highlight the critical role and rights of healthcare professionals could foster greater respect and understanding.
• Policy and Legislation: Advocacy for comprehensive national legislation, akin to the protections offered in other countries, could provide a uniform level of security and legal recourse for healthcare workers across all states and territories in India.

Global Measures to Protect Healthcare Workers

• United Kingdom:
  • The National Health Service (NHS) has a zero-tolerance policy towards violence.
  • This policy is supported by dedicated security teams and an elaborate reporting system to handle incidents immediately and effectively.
• United States:
  • In many states, assaults on healthcare workers are classified as felonies, providing a strong legal deterrent against such acts.
  • The severity of the legal repercussions underscores the seriousness with which these incidents are treated.
• Australia:
  • Hospitals have incorporated several safety protocols, including the deployment of security personnel and the installation of panic buttons.
  • Mandatory de-escalation training for staff helps in managing potentially volatile situations without escalating to violence.

Need for Action in India

In light of the effective measures taken by these countries, there is a pressing need for India to enhance the protection of its healthcare workers:

• Legislative Action: Implementing a Central Protection Act could provide a legal framework for the protection of healthcare workers, similar to those in place in other countries.
• Adoption of Best Practices: By learning from the systems implemented internationally, India can develop a more robust approach to safeguarding healthcare workers. This might include stricter security protocols, comprehensive training for handling aggression, and more substantial legal penalties for offenders.

Government Initiatives

• Ministry of Health’s Directives: Recent directives require the heads of medical institutions to file an FIR within six hours of any incident of violence against healthcare workers.
• NMC Guidelines: The National Medical Commission has mandated that medical colleges develop comprehensive safety policies and take immediate actions following any incident of violence.

-Source: The Hindu