Vandana case: Government to change rule, police outposts in front of famous hospitals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is proposing amendments to the Hospital Protection ACT in Kerala. The decision comes in the wake of the gruesome murder of 23-year-old doctor Vandana in Kottarakara. The cabinet meeting next month will initiate an ordinance that will ensure harsh punishments for any attack on doctors. Police outposts will also start working outside famous hospitals in the state.

At present, the rules say three years and Rs 50000 fine for any such attack on hospital staff. The government wants the numbers to be 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 5 lakh as a fine. The doctor's organization including IMA held discussions with CM yesterday and beseeched the government to bring in similar punishments.

The amendment comes under the 2012 Kerala Arogya Raksha rule. The Kerala chief secretary, health principal secretary, and law secretary will call for a meeting and will decide the rules to be formed.

The chief minister has called for strict action against any such assault in state hospitals. According to the purported plans, the hospital will be divided into three sections. Police outposts will be formed in general hospitals, medical colleges, and mother and baby hospitals in the state. SI, ASI, and CPO will be assigned in deputations near this premise. The government hospitals will henceforth have two duty doctors at night rather than the old followed system of one doctor. The convicts brought in by police will be strictly monitored and will be only treated in the presence of police officials. A closed circuit camera will be placed in all hospitals while the security system of the hospitals will be headed by respective district collectors.