Plan is ready for hospital security

KOCHI: The state government on Thursday informed the High Court that it will appoint SISF (State Industrial Security Force) to provide protection to government hospitals. It also said that it has directed the health department to inform the priority order of hospitals that need protection. The government informed this in a suo moto petition being considered by the High Court following the murder of Dr Vandana Das. The government explained that security will be provided to government hospitals free of charge and private hospitals should provide security on their own. A division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Dr Kausar Edappagath directed the government to consider providing SISF security to private hospitals if they make payment.

Draft protocol is ready
The government has informed the High Court that the police have prepared and submitted a draft of the protocol to be followed while producing the accused before the doctor and the magistrate. A copy was also produced. However, the division bench suggested hearing the views of the Kerala Judicial Officers Association, Health University, IMA Kerala State Unit, Kerala Government Medical Officers Association, Kerala Private Hospitals Association and Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association before finalizing the protocol. The court will consider the petition on June 8.