National Task Force for Safety of Medical Professionals

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The National Task Force (NTF) for safety of medical professionals at the workplace was set up by the Supreme Court of India in the aftermath of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. [1] [2] On 20 August 2024, a three-judge bench led by the Supreme Court Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud and including Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra constituted a 9-member task force to work out suggestions to improve the safety of medical professionals at the workspace. [3]

Contents

Background

A post-graduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at R. G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata on 9 August 2024, [4] which sparked protests across India. [5] The case was first investigated by Kolkata Police and then, on the order by Calcutta High Court, by the Central Bureau of Investigation. [6] On 18 August 2024, the Supreme Court of India took suo moto cognizance of the case. [7] A three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud heard the matter on 20 August 2024 and constituted a National Task Force (NTF) to ensure workplace safety for medical professionals. [8] The NTF was asked by the Supreme Court to submit its interim report within three weeks and the final report within two months. [9]

Members

The Supreme Court of India appointed the members of the National Task Force which includes medical professionals in India and the office holders of several Indian medical organisations: [3]

Ex-officio members

Activities

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare contributes logistics and funding. [10] After 27 August 2024, [11] a portal was created to seek suggestions. [12] Suggestions included improved CCTV cameras coverage, access control, and checking up on staff. [13] State governments were requested to list existing security measures, [14] (they run most health facilities) before meeting two NTF members about temporary solutions. [15]

As of 27 August, 300-400 suggestions were received. [16] The Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) highlighted infrastructure, staffing, security and administration. [17] The Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors' Association (APGDA) sent nine recommendations including a Special Protection Force. [18]

The NTF examines both safety and security. [19] The Indian Medical Association lobbied for laws including declaring hospitals as safe zones. [20]

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References

  1. ↑ "Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related issues" (PDF). Supreme Court of India. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  2. ↑ "RG Kar Hospital Case: Surgeon Vice Admiral R Sarin, Dr D Nageshwar Reddy included in SC's National Task Force". Business Today. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. 1 2 "Supreme Court forms task force for safety of medicos". The Indian Express. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  4. ↑ "Kolkata doctor rape-murder: What happened on August 9? Sequence of events". Hindustan Times. 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  5. ↑ "One million doctors walk out in nationwide strike in India after brutal rape and murder of junior medic". Independent. 2024-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  6. ↑ "Setback for West Bengal government as Calcutta High Court orders CBI to probe R.G. Kar hospital ex-principal for graft". The Hindu. 2024-08-24. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  7. ↑ "Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance of Kolkata doctor rape-murder incident, lists case for August 20". The Hindu. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  8. ↑ "SC constitutes 10-member task force to formulate protocol for ensuring safety of doctors". The Economic Times. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  9. ↑ "India's top court creates safety task force after rape, murder of doctor". Aljazeera. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  10. ↑ "Memo issued on National Task Force for doctors' safety". The Tribune. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  11. ↑ "Healthcare professionals' safety: NTF holds first meeting; launches portal". Hindustan Times. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  12. ↑ "Health ministry creates national portal to seek suggestion on safety and working conditions of medical staff". Mint. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  13. ↑ "From CCTV cameras in blind spots to limiting access to hospitals, what task force on health workers' safety discussed with states". The Indian Express. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  14. ↑ "First NTF meet to ensure safety of healthcare workers, launches portal". The New Indian Express. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  15. ↑ "National task force holds first meeting; talks with states today". The Indian Express. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  16. ↑ "Received 300-400 suggestions from stakeholders: National Task Force". The Hindu. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  17. ↑ "TTGDA writes to National Task Force". The Hindu. 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  18. ↑ "Deployment of Special Protection Force first among recommendations sent by Andhra doctors' body to National Task Force". The Hindu. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  19. ↑ ""Heads Need To Be Pro-Active": Task Force Member On Doctors' Safety On Duty". NDTV. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  20. ↑ "IMA Urges National Task Force For Central Law On Violence Against Doctors, Declares Hospitals As Safe Zones". NewsX. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
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