Recently, the Supreme Court established a national task force (NTF) to address safety, working conditions, and well-being of medical professionals.
Supreme Court Sets Up National Task Force Of Doctors On Hospital Safety
The Supreme Court was hearing matters related to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata after it took suo moto cognisance of the case.
- Suo moto cognisance is a Latin term meaning “on its own motion,” is a unique power vested in the Indian judiciary that allows it to take notice of a matter without receiving a formal petition or complaint.
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About the National Task Force (NTF)
The Supreme Court constituted a 10-member NTF to “formulate effective recommendations to remedy the issues of concern pertaining to” the “safety, working conditions and well-being of medical professionals and other cognate matters”.
- Comprises: The task force, comprising senior doctors, from diverse backgrounds.
- It will also include four ex-officio members: Cabinet secretary, health secretary, chairperson of the National Medical Commission, and president of the National Board of Examiners.
- Time Frame: The task force has been asked to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months of the order.
- The NTF is requested to consult all stake-holders.
- Supported by: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide all logistical support including making arrangements for travel, stay and secretarial assistance and bear the expenses of the members of the NTF.
- Data Collection: The Central Government, all State Governments and UT Governments, through their Secretaries, in the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare must collate information from all hospitals run by them on how many security personnel are employed at each Hospital and each department.
- Tasks Alloted:
- Recommendation on Measures: The Bench directed the task force to examine and recommend measures for the safety and well-being of medical professionals.
- They are at liberty to make additional suggestions, where appropriate.
- Propose Modalities: To be implemented nationwide to ensure that safety conditions are maintained and that doctors, whether young or middle-aged, are safe in their work environments.
- Develop a National Protocol: To ensure the safety and facilities for health care workers at their workplaces. This could potentially lead to major reforms in the working conditions for medical practitioners and paramedics across the country.
- Preparation of a National Action Plan: Formulate an action plan under two sub-heads: Preventing violence, including gender-based violence against medical professionals; and providing an enforceable national protocol for dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents, senior residents, doctors, nurses and all medical professionals.
- The action plan will consider areas such as:
- Whether emergency rooms need additional security
- Restricting access to non-patients
- Baggage screening to prevent weapons from entering hospitals
- Transport for medical professionals from 10 pm to 6 am
- Preventing intoxicated persons from entering the premises of the medical establishment, unless they are patients
- Infrastructural development such as provision of separate resting rooms and duty rooms in each department for male and female doctors, male and female nurses
- A gender-neutral common resting space
- The Court also mentioned the importance of workshops for mental well-being and emergency helplines for medical personnel.
- Explore Constitution of “Employees Safety Committees”: Comprising doctors, interns, residents and nurses at every medical establishment to conduct quarterly audits on institutional safety measures and ensuring compliance of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
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Historical Context
- Violence against healthcare workers is not new in India. In 1973, Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug, a junior nurse was sexually assaulted by a hospital sweeper.
Challenges faced by Healthcare Workers in India
- Long Work Hours: Overnight shifts, twelve-hour workdays—these are just a couple of the scheduling hurdles healthcare providers face. According to a recent WHO study, working more than fifty-five hours a week directly correlates to serious health conditions like heart disease and stroke.
- Worker Burnout and Stress: According to research published in 2023, 49.9% of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout. Burnout can lead to:
- Reduced job satisfaction
- Mental and physical health issues
- Increased absenteeism
- Reduced productivity
- Lower quality of patient care
- Medical errors
- Reduced patient satisfaction
- Organisation Problems: Poor organisational structures lead to worker frustration in hospitals, clinics, and other institutions related to healthcare.
- This can stem from issues around increased cost, security, disruptive technology, and overall inefficiencies.
- Technology Roadblocks: The healthcare sector can be slow to adapt to rapidly changing, life-altering technology, often because of regulatory and compliance hurdles.
A State Subject
- As per constitutional provisions, health and law and order are State subjects.
- It is the primary responsibility of the State government or Union Territory administration to take note of events and eventualities, and do what is necessary to prevent violence.
Initiatives to Prevent Violence Against Health Workers
- By Centre:
- The Prevention of Violence Against Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments Bill, 2022
- Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020: It deals with acts of violence against healthcare personnel during an Epidemic situation that are considered cognisable and non-bailable offences
- Nirbhaya Fund: This fund was set up by the government of India for carrying out initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security for women in the country
- State Laws: Some States have implemented their statutes such as Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Amendment Act, 2023
- Global Efforts: World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), among others jointly developed ‘Framework guidelines for addressing workplace violence in the health sector’.
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August 21, 2024
