No Need for Separate Law to Protect Healthcare Professionals: NTF

Why in the news?

The National Task Force (NTF) report to the Supreme Court concludes that existing state laws and the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, are sufficient to address violence against healthcare professionals.

About NTF’s Stand on Healthcare Safety:

  • The NTF report, submitted in response to the R.G. Kar rape and murder case, opposes the demand for a separate central law to protect healthcare professionals.
  • The NTF highlighted that 24 states have already enacted laws to address violence against healthcare professionals, with two more states introducing similar bills.
  • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, is deemed adequate to address serious offences like rape and murder against medical staff, making a separate law unnecessary.

No Need for Separate Law to Protect Healthcare Professionals: NTF

Recommendations for Strengthening Safety:

  • The NTF recommended short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies to improve healthcare safety:
    • Deployment of trained security personnel in hospitals, coordination with local police, high walls, biometric access, and night-shift safety protocols.
    • Suggestions for improved infrastructure, including mobile networks, CCTV coverage, and better restroom facilities.
    • Creation of an internal complaints committee to address sexual harassment issues.
  • The report also suggested having a senior doctor present in emergency service areas round-the-clock.

Doctors’ Concerns and Protests

  • Doctors’ bodies, particularly the Indian Medical Association (IMA), had demanded a central law with deterrent measures to protect medical professionals.
  • In response to the tragic murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital, the IMA stressed the need for a strong national protocol to ensure hospital safety.

About the National Task Force (NTF):

  • Constitution: Formed by the Supreme Court with 10 members, including senior doctors and four ex-officio members (Cabinet Secretary, Health Secretary, NMC Chairperson, NBE President).
  • Mandate: To ensure the safety, working conditions, and well-being of medical professionals.
  • Tasks:
  • Recommend safety measures and propose nationwide modalities.
  • Develop a National Protocol and Action Plan to prevent violence and ensure dignified working conditions.
  • Support: Assisted by the Ministry of Health for logistics and data collection.
  • Focus Areas:
  • Emergency room security, transportation at night, and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Conduct workshops for mental well-being and form safety committees for quarterly audits.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times