Nine-member national task force to look into doctors' safety; DG medical services (Navy) to head team

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has appointed a nine-member task force chaired by the Director General of Medical Services, Navy, to find out the deficiencies in the security system of medical professionals in the country. SC has also demanded suggestions from the task force to better the working conditions of women in the medical field.

Vice Admiral Dr. Arti Sarin is the head of the group. Five senior officers, including the Union Cabinet Secretary, were included as non-official members. The court held that the safety and welfare of medical professionals is a matter of national interest and in a sardonic remark, said the court cannot wait for another rape or murder to introduce preventive measures. The intervention comes in the context of the rape and murder of a PG doctor in Kolkata.

The Center has informed that steps will be taken immediately to provide CISF security to the hospital and hostel where the problem occurred.

The CBI should give a status report on Wednesday clarifying the progress of the investigation.

The Bengal government should also submit a report tomorrow on the incident of violence in the hospital. The proceedings of the bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra came for the suo moto cognizance taken in the RG Kar hospital rape case.

“States including Kerala have introduced laws to prevent violence against professionals and deal with destruction of property, but it is not enough to solve the problems.'' Said SC.

Task force members

1. Chairman of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad. G. Nageshwar Reddy

2. Delhi AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas

3. Bengaluru NIMHANS Director Dr. Pratima Murthy

4. Jodhpur AIIMS Executive Director Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri

5. Delhi Gangaram Hospital Dr. Soumitra Rawat

6. Rothak Pandit D.D. Sharma Medical University VC Prof. Anita Saxena

7. Mumbai Dean Grant Medical College Dr. Pallavi Saple

8 Delhi AIIMS former professor Dr Padma Srivastav

The interim report should be given within three weeks and the final report within two months.