UT Fails to Address Doctor Safety: RG Kar Incident a Distant Memory

Even five months after the devastating rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, 2024, resident doctors in Chandigarh hospitals are still facing severe security challenges. Despite numerous appeals, key demands from the resident doctors at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, including increasing security staff, installing CCTV cameras throughout the hospital, and controlling access to duty rooms, have not yet been addressed.

Resident doctors have persistently raised their concerns, submitting memorandums to hospital administrations. However, five months later, there has been little visible progress. Dr. Anup Kumar, joint secretary of the Resident Doctors Association at GMCH, explained that 18 demands had been submitted to the administration. These included requests for CCTV cameras at ward entrances, a 25% increase in security personnel, restricted access to the duty rooms, better lighting in dark areas, and round-the-clock guard presence in the emergency department.

While some of these requests have been partially fulfilled, significant issues remain unresolved. Lights have been installed in previously dim areas near the E and C blocks, and emergency contact numbers, including that of the security chief, have been posted throughout the hospital. However, the installation of CCTV cameras and the hiring of additional security personnel are still in progress. Dr. Megha, a junior resident in the radiology department, mentioned that previously there was no security guard present after 10 pm in the emergency ultrasound room, which created safety concerns due to intoxicated patients and their companions. Following protests, a security guard was assigned to the room. A third-year junior resident in the orthopaedics department, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that there is inadequate space in the duty room, leading to instances of stolen personal belongings. The lack of surveillance and security measures has left the area vulnerable.

Dr. AK Attri, director principal of GMCH-32, explained that efforts to improve security are ongoing. Proposals for additional CCTV cameras and a central control room have been submitted to the engineering department. Access to duty rooms has been restricted, and lighting has been improved in all dark areas. Dr. Attri also mentioned that security personnel would be increased by 25% with the start of trauma emergency services.

At PGIMER, a safety committee was established following protests from resident doctors and has been meeting regularly. A member of the Association of Resident Doctors at PGIMER stated that while some improvements have been made, such as increased vigilance on the emergency side road and additional lighting in dark areas, no concrete steps have been taken regarding the installation of more CCTV cameras.

Another resident doctor from the internal medicine department noted that security has been tightened, with measures to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering duty rooms, and nighttime police patrols have been introduced. Pankaj Rai, deputy director of administration at PGIMER, emphasized that the hospital is working on various security improvements, including better lighting, additional security personnel, and panic buttons. He highlighted that both short-term and long-term measures are being implemented to enhance the safety of doctors.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)