No need for separate central law to protect doctors and healthcare workers from violence; NTF submits report in Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The National Task Force (NTF) has submitted a report to the Supreme Court that there is no need for a separate central law to deal with atrocities against medical professionals, including doctors.

There are special laws in 24 states to deal with such violence. The provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita are sufficient in states where there are no special laws. Recommendations were also submitted to ensure the safety of medical professionals in hospitals.

The report is following the suo motu cognisance taken by the supreme court regarding the rape and murder of a PG trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. On August 20, the Supreme Court directly constituted the National Task Force under the chairmanship of Vice Admiral Dr Arti Sarin, Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services.

Recommendations of NTF

1. Trained security personnel should be deployed in hospitals
2. Senior resident doctors should be assigned duty at night in emergency units
3. CCTV surveillance should be intensified in the hospital premises.
4. An FIR should be registered within six hours of the reporting of the violence.